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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: S5W-11161

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 29 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what the top 50 onshore wind farms are in terms of installed capacity, broken down by the (a) amount of community benefit paid per MW, (b) local authority in which each is based, (c) date from which community benefit has been paid and (d) amount of community benefit paid to date.

Local Energy Scotland who deliver our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) maintain a voluntary register of community benefits payments. All developers of renewable energy developments and local communities in receipt of community benefit payments are encouraged to use the register. The following information is recorded: Name of Developers, Name of Development, Location, Capacity and Details of the Community Benefit Package. The Register can be viewed at http://www.localenergyscotland.org/view-the-register/

Question reference: S5W-11162

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 29 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has the power to make renewable energy generators declare the amount of community benefit they are paying.

The Scottish Government has no powers to make renewable energy generators declare the amount of community benefit payments committed to or paid out. However to ensure openness and transparency into the process we established a Community Benefit register and encourage all generators to complete when community benefits arrangements have been agreed. The register is maintained on our behalf by Local Energy Scotland and can be found at http://www.localenergyscotland.org/view-the-register/.

Question reference: S5W-11025

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 August 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 28 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on rural communities of the recent closures of high street bank branches; what representations it has made to the UK Government on this matter, and what response it has received.

The regulation of banking remains reserved to Westminster and the Scottish Government cannot directly compel banks to maintain a branch presence where they have taken the commercial decision to close.

Banks who are closing branches in and across Scotland, must take into account the needs of all customers, including those in rural communities and vulnerable groups who may not be able to access digitally delivered services and who continue to rely on physical branches and face to face provision of banking services.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and I raised the issue of branch closures with representatives of Scotland's financial sector at the last meeting of the Financial Services Advisory Board on 10 May 2017. I was pleased to see a recognition from those present that consideration of the impact of closures was now necessary and we will continue to engage in that discussion with the banking sector and UK Ministers, as requested.

Question reference: S5W-11385

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 28 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark the Royal Air Force’s centenary in 2018, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding events in relation to the anniversary.

The Scottish Government is delighted that the RAF will be celebrating its Centenary in 2018 and recognises the huge contribution RAF personnel and their families make to their communities in Scotland.

The RAF 100 team is planning UK-wide events and the lead for events across Scotland is Air Officer Scotland. Officials are in regular contact with Air Officer Scotland’s office, including discussion on the RAF 100 programme. Scottish Ministers will be invited to celebrate this important anniversary with the RAF in Scotland to celebrate, commemorate and inspire for the future.

Question reference: S5W-11029

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 August 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Bank of Scotland regarding the plan to reduce branch counter services for businesses, which is to be implemented on 2 November 2017, including the impact that this could have in rural areas.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs & Fair Work and I raised the issue of branch closures with representatives of Scotland’s financial sector at the last meeting of the Financial Services Advisory Board on 10 May 2017. I was pleased to see a recognition from those present that consideration of the impact of closures was now necessary and we have emphasised the need to protect vulnerable customers, those who are less likely to engage with digital services, and rural communities and we have made clear our desire to continue to engage in that discussion.

Question reference: S5W-11023

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 August 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 26 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of discriminatory parcel delivery charges being imposed that disadvantage rural communities, including those with IV postcodes; what steps it is taking to tackle this; whether it will name the companies that make such charges; what representations it has made to the UK Government on this matter, and what response it has received.

I recognise the longstanding concerns about parcel deliveries to rural and remote areas of Scotland. The Scottish Government worked with partners to develop a Statement of Principles for parcel deliveries which was launched by the former Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP. Continued work in this area is still required and I am supportive of the work organisations such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Highland Council are doing. I believe a constructive approach with companies will achieve the best results.

As regulation of parcel deliveries is still reserved to Westminster and many retailers are based outside Scotland, it is vitally important that UK Ministers continue to work to improve the situation. I wrote to Margot James MP, the UK Minister for Consumers, in December 2016 asking what further actions the UK Government planned to take. Ms James responded saying that she did not believe that more legislation was necessary, but that the UK Government would work with consumer agencies to make sure retailers are aware of and fulfil their responsibilities. While the UK Government are at present unwilling to regulate on this issue, we will continue to push them on the concerns around delivery charges.

Question reference: S5W-11296

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to (a) raise public awareness of sepsis and (b) ensure that GPs and other medical professionals receive the necessary training to identify the symptoms of sepsis.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting and promoting work around public awareness of sepsis. The Scottish Government currently works closely with NHS Scotland and the Fiona Elizabeth Agnew Trust (FEAT), supporting the Sock it to Sepsis campaign and promoting and participating in World Sepsis Day which has done much to publicise the danger presented by sepsis.

Tackling sepsis is a key part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP). Work to focus on early identification of sepsis and treatment within one hour of recognition has led to mortality rates among those identified at this stage falling by 21% since 2012.

Sepsis is a component part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) process and sepsis awareness through diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention is part of all surgical curricula and is a key theme in formative and summary assessments.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) website has a sepsis-specific clinical topic page and the RCN has also produced sepsis-specific subject guides to introduce members to key resources, books and journals. Its library service has produced sepsis crib cards for health care support workers, nursing students and registered nurses to provide guidance and support with care delivery across all settings.

Sepsis is embedded in the curriculum for postgraduate Emergency Medicine training with multiple learning outcomes including awareness, identification and treatment of sepsis and it is also covered in multiple sessions on our e-Learning platform.

Sepsis is included in the Foundation School educational programme framework. It has to be delivered to F1 trainees during block 1, i.e. between August – December including early warning signs and appropriate antibiotic therapy.

The current training suggested for GP's is through a module supplied by The Royal College of Physicians.

SPSP, in collaboration with NHS Education for Scotland, is working on developing a Scottish training package, which should be available next year.

Question reference: S5W-11160

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 26 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what level of community benefit must be paid by renewable energy generators to qualify for rates relief.

Question reference: S5W-11164

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 26 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how it determines the cumulative impact of onshore wind farms.

When assessing applications for onshore wind, Scottish Ministers have regard to the cumulative impact of the proposed development which forms the subject of the application, other constructed and consented projects, or proposed developments which are also in the planning system. In doing so, Ministers have regard to the environmental report prepared by the applicant, and views expressed by consultees and other third parties with an interest in the project. The cumulative impact of a proposed development is one of a number of factors taken into account when determining applications.

Question reference: S5F-01568

Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2017

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding it attending medical emergencies, in light of reports that trials of this service will end due to a dispute over pay and conditions.