Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-29605

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next publish its Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update.

Question reference: S6W-29603

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when its Travelling Cabinet will next meet in the Highlands and Islands region.

Question reference: S6W-29029

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the First Minister and (b) previous First Ministers had with the leader of Shetland Islands Council in each year since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Shetland Islands Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-29030

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the First Minister and (b) previous First Ministers had with the leader of Moray Council in each year since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Moray Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-29031

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the First Minister and (b) previous First Ministers had with the leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in each year since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-29027

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the First Minister and (b) previous First Ministers had with the leader of Argyll and Bute Council in each year since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Argyll and Bute Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-29028

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the First Minister and (b) previous First Ministers had with the leader of Orkney Islands Council in each year since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Orkney Islands Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-29026

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the First Minister and (b) previous First Ministers had with the leader of Highland Council in each year since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Highland Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-29049

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Instrumental Music Services Survey 2023, which reports that the number of piano/keyboard instructors within local authorities is at its lowest level in a decade.

The most recent Instrumental Music Survey published in December 2023 shows the number of pupils participating in free instrumental music tuition is at a record high since the survey began (61,175).

Local Authorities are responsible for the delivery of free instrumental music tuition in their schools. They review the instruments offered, and therefore instructors required, on a regular basis to ensure this meets pupil demand in terms of what sort of instrument young people want to learn and the needs of schools.

Question reference: S6W-29203

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 9 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) promote the use and (b) widen the availability of tick removal kits.

The Scottish Government is committed to continuing its work on preventing, raising awareness and improving our understanding of Lyme disease and ticks.

As part of the Scottish Government Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign, which ran in May to coincide with Lyme Disease Awareness Month , a campaign toolkit is distributed to stakeholders such as NHS24, Public Health Scotland and Visit Scotland. This provides stakeholders and partners with films, social media and print materials to raise awareness of Lyme Disease and ticks and directs the public to NHS Inform page as source of further information which also contains information on safe tick removal.

Tick removal devices are widely available at most pharmacies and outdoor stores as well as some retail shops and online.

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