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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-14785

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered developing wider marine spatial planning for the protection of all species of whales and dolphins.

The Scottish Government considers the protection of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), wherever they are found in waters around Scotland, a high priority. They already have strict protection under the EU Habitats Directive and it is an offence to deliberately or recklessly capture, injure, kill or disturb any whale dolphin or porpoise.

In addition to this overall protection, the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 presents an opportunity to develop a world class network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and this process includes consideration of key locations for cetaceans in line with the MPA guidelines published in March 2011. We appreciate that these species need to be adequately protected and they are still very much under consideration for inclusion in the MPA network.

Question reference: S4W-14782

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on setting up the 33 proposed nature conservation marine protected areas.

I reported progress on the development of a Scottish Network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to Parliament in December 2012, based on the scientific advice to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

The progress report included 33 proposals for both inshore and offshore MPAs. It is my intention to consult on all 33 proposals in a public consultation this summer in which views will be sought from all interested parties.

The network currently includes 45 Special Protection Areas for seabirds, 46 Special Areas of Conservation and 61 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Scottish waters and another eight fisheries management measures contribute to the wider aims of a MPA network. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee are also progressing work to complete the identification of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas in the marine environment to deliver our obligations under European legislation.

Question reference: S4W-14784

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on developing search locations for (a) minke whales, (b) Risso’s dolphins and (c) white-beaked dolphins in marine protected areas.

For Minke whale there are two search locations, Southern Trench and Skye to Mull.

For Risso's dolphin there is one search location, Eye Peninsula to Butt of Lewis. And for White-beaked dolphin there is also one search location, Southern Trench.

Habitat modelling is currently underway and will inform the detailed application of the Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) selection guidelines in due course for each of these search locations. Scottish Natural Heritage will then provide formal advice on whether these areas should be recommended as MPA proposals. Should additional evidence suggest any additional places be deemed critical habitats for these cetacean species, consideration will be given to identifying additional MPA search locations for assessment.

Question reference: S4W-14612

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 15 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether prostate cancer is included in the early detection strategy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although directed at lung, breast and colorectal cancers in the first instance, early diagnosis and high quality treatment and care for all patients with cancer is a top priority. It is anticipated that the programme will benefit people with other types of cancer as general awareness raising initiatives are expected to result in earlier presentation, referral and assessment for all those with a possibility of cancer.

Colorectal, lung and breast cancer represent 45 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland per year. To allow the early stages of the programme to be appropriately managed and be the most effective, a decision was taken to focus on these three cancers initially. This will enable the greatest impact both in terms of patient numbers and in tackling cancer in areas of deprivation where survival has historically been poorest. It will be easier to demonstrate shifts in outcomes and in population attitudes by choosing the high incidence tumour types as the initial focus, it is anticipated that this will identify best practice and build momentum for the programme that will then facilitate roll out to other tumour types.

Once the initial phase of the Detect Cancer Early Programme is completed, consideration will be given to which other cancers need to be tackled in a similar way.

Question reference: S4W-14613

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 15 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve awareness of prostate cancer to promote early detection.

The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although the Detect Cancer Early Programme focuses on breast, lung and colorectal cancers, an initial priming phase of campaigning included raising awareness of a suite of body changes that could indicate cancer. The priming and ongoing campaign messages aim to create more confidence about cancer and its treatment and encourage people to present early to their GP with any changes in their body. In this way, it is anticipated that there will be increased awareness of symptoms and signs of cancer types additional to lung, breast and colorectal, including prostate, amongst the general public and clinicians.

Additional tumour groups, including prostate cancer, will be considered by the DCE Programme Board in due course and an option appraisal process is currently being explored.

Question reference: S4W-14614

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 14 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to investment in robotic surgery.

Question reference: S4O-02012

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent analysis it has carried out on the affordability of pension and social welfare costs in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Question reference: S4O-01974

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to organisations that use drama to raise awareness of social issues.

Question reference: S4F-01275

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 March 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2013

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is using its International Development Fund to support Malawi.

Question reference: S4W-12712

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 22 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports (a) college and (b) university students wanting to study abroad for (i) short-term periods, (ii) an academic year and (iii) complete degree periods.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting both college and university students wanting to study abroad for varying lengths of time. Funding is given to a number of programmes to support such outward mobility activity, including:

The 3 week long Study China and Study India programmes.

The Erasmus Programme through which students can study for between 3 months and an academic year in another European country.

The 8-12 week long technical work placements abroad available through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) programme.

The Outward Mobility Fund through which 11 projects in 10 institutions received funding in 2012-13 for a range of mobility periods.

In 2014-15 the Scottish Government will launch a pilot project offering funding for up to 250 Scottish domiciled students undertaking their undergraduate degree in the European Union. Eligible students will be entitled to financial support towards their living costs and a student loan. This will be the first time Scottish-domiciled students studying in Europe will be entitled to the same living cost support as students attending university in Scotland.