Seòmar agus comataidhean

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 2242 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S3W-30954

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 3 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Graduates for Business scheme was ended.

Scottish Enterprise has taken the decision to end the scheme in its current format. This decision was taken on the basis of value for money and follows an independent review of the programme that highlighted concerns about geographic coverage and consistency of the programme.

We therefore welcome Scottish Enterprise''s plans to have an alternative programme in place by the end of June, that will address these issues and deliver even better value for money.

Question reference: S3W-30955

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 3 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions were held with Scottish Enterprise about ending the Graduates for Business scheme.

The Scottish Government works closely and continuously with Scottish Enterprise and its other key agencies on strategic issues, to ensure that their activities and resources are focused on delivering maximum impact towards sustainable economic growth. However, the Scottish Government is not involved routinely in matters connected to the funding or refocusing of specific interventions, which are matters for the agencies themselves.

Question reference: S3W-30746

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 28 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive how many officials are working on the drafting of the proposed Referendum Bill.

Question reference: S3W-30748

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 28 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) cost to date is and (b) estimated final cost will be of drafting the proposed Referendum Bill.

Question reference: S3W-30849

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 27 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications there have been from people aged 75 or over for central heating under the Energy Assistance Package.

Callers to the Energy Assistance Package helpline do not make an application for a particular measure. Where appropriate, the local energy adviser takes them through an assessment to determine their eligibility for each of the four stages of the package.

As of end November 2009 1,978 households including a person aged 75 and over have been referred for stage 4 measures through the EAP. In addition, 1,977 households with persons over 80 had been carried forward to complete the previous programme.

Question reference: S3W-30848

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 27 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged 75 or over have had a central heating system installed under the Energy Assistance Package.

Question reference: S3W-30828

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 26 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether financial provision is in place to support specialist emergency childcare teams following the closure of the Queen Mother’s Hospital in Glasgow and, if so, whether such provision will be maintained and developed until 2015.

Question reference: S3W-30626

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 11 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 25 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive when in 2010 the proposed Referendum Bill will be published.

Question reference: S3W-30567

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 08 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 20 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with Scottish Development International regarding the planned trade mission to Israel and, if so, on what date.

Scottish Development International (SDI) is a joint venture between the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. It arranged the trade mission to Israel, in partnership with UK Trade and Investment, as part of its regular yearly programme of overseas trade missions.

As there are no restrictions in place as regards trading with Israel, there was no requirement for SDI to seek dispensation from Scottish Government colleagues prior to arranging this trade mission.

Question reference: S3W-30572

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 08 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 19 January 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is within which its agencies should respond to enquiries from MSPs.