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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.

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Question reference: S4W-13610

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how an independent Scotland’s per capita GDP would compare with that of other countries.

Estimates of Scotland's International Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita ranking in 2011 were published on 11 March 2013 and are available at;

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Publications/GDP-Per-Capita

When an illustrative geographic share of North Sea (extra region) output is included in Scottish GDP, it is estimated that Scotland would be ranked 8th against the 34 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries, with regards to GDP per capita in 2011.

Question reference: S4W-13604

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in establishing marine protected areas.

The Report to Parliament on progress on identifying an MPA network was laid in Parliament on 14 December 2012, and was accompanied by Scottish Natural Heritage(SNH) and Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) detailed scientific network advice. All of these documents, as well as a newsletter to update stakeholders and the public, are available on the Marine Scotland website:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork.

In summary, SNH and JNCC have identified a total of 33 MPA proposals. Four MPA search locations, Southern Trench, Eye Peninsula to Butt of Lewis, Shiant East Bank and Skye to Mull are undergoing further research and analysis before SNH provides its formal advice to Scottish Ministers. These four have the potential to make a significant contribution to the network by representing key habitats for basking sharks, whales and dolphins and are not substitutes for any of existing 33 MPA proposals. Of the 41 MPA search features, 38 will be accounted for within the evolving Scottish MPA network, the exceptions at this time being basking shark, common skate and white-beaked dolphin.

Since the Report was published (above link) we have been working on the following core tasks in readiness for a public consultation:

The Management Handbook which provides a general approach and principles to the potential management is nearly complete and has been consulted upon with stakeholders;

Management Options, as well as a suite of site documentation, are being developed by SNH and JNCC for each proposal in conjunction with Marine Scotland to inform discussions with marine interests on management of individual sites and form part of the consultation documentation;

A Sustainability Appraisal has begun, and we are currently gathering data and evidence to generate strategic environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments for each MPA proposal as well as an overall cumulative assessment;

Further analysis of Harbour Porpoise data is ongoing, and results are expected in late 2013 and, if appropriate the Scottish Government expects to receive Special Area of Conservation proposals under the EU Habitats Directive from the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies in late 2014.

The Scottish Government expects to begin receive recommendations for possible Special Protection Areas under the EU Wild Birds Directive from the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies in late 2013. The aim will be to complete classification of as many of these proposals by end of 2015 as possible.

The aim of the project is to deliver a well managed network by 2016 and we are working hard to achieve this ambitious target.

Question reference: S4O-01869

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the reserves of oil and gas remaining in Scottish waters.

Question reference: S4O-01775

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Cumbrae Public Reference Group on reviewing and improving health services on the island.

Question reference: S4T-00229

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether any economic benefits will accrue to Scotland from High Speed 2.

Question reference: S4O-01687

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 January 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the University of London regarding the future of the University Marine Biological Station Millport.

Question reference: S4O-01674

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on developing grassroots football.

Question reference: S4W-11777

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 December 2012

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-07334 by Richard Lochhead on 7 June 2012, whether it will act to ban the training of dogs using electronic shock collars following the review by the Companion Animal Welfare Council on research into banning such collars published in Veterinary Record.

Neither the CAWC report nor the Defra research referred to in SW-07334 have provided clear objective evidence that electronic training aids cause long-term harm to dog welfare when used appropriately. A ban on electronic training aids cannot, therefore, be justified on welfare grounds at this time.

However, we fully support the work that Defra is undertaking with the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association to draw up guidance for dog owners and trainers advising how to use e-collars properly. We also support Defra’s work with the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to develop a manufacturers’ charter to make sure any e-collars on sale are made to high standards.

Question reference: S4O-01618

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 December 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what the reduction has been in the number of hospital acquired infections in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran area since May 2007.

Question reference: S4F-01062

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 December 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 December 2012

To ask the First Minister what impact the Scottish Government expects the additional capital resources announced in the Autumn Statement to have on Scottish employment.