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 521 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S4O-02339

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 4 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the performance of the construction sector over the last 12 months.

The Scottish Government is working hard to support the construction sector by continuing to invest in Scotland’s infrastructure, our schools, roads and hospitals. Investment between 2012-13 and 2014-15 will total more than £10 billion. We are also continuing to engage with the sector to ensure we understand the issues they face, with a further construction summit planned to take place in Glasgow on 25 September 2013.

The Scottish Government’s quarterly Scottish GDP Index, shows that the construction sector in Scotland contracted by 2.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2013. On an annual basis, comparing the latest quarter with the same quarter of the previous year (2012 Quarter 1), the sector contracted by 6.3 per cent. However, the Scottish Construction Monitor reports a slight rise in confidence in 2013 Quarter 1, compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Question reference: S4O-02278

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the European Commission and what matters will be discussed.

Question reference: S4O-02251

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what the level of take-up is for the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme.

Question reference: S4O-02216

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to meet the increasing demand for software engineers suggested by recent surveys by ScotlandIS and e-Skills UK.

Question reference: S4O-02182

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of how much tax revenue from North Sea oil an independent Scotland could raise between 2015 and 2020.

The Scottish Government published an Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin in March which forecast that oil and gas production in the Scottish North Sea could generate between £41 and £57 billion in tax revenue in the six years to 2017-18.

With up to 24 billion barrels remaining, it is clear that the industry will be a significant source of tax revenue for an independent Scotland for decades to come.

Question reference: S4O-02087

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress there has been with the review of the individual patient treatment request process.

Question reference: S4T-00324

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 April 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what support will be given to families and communities affected by the liquidation of Scottish Coal.

Question reference: S4O-02025

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for community business initiatives in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.

Question reference: S4W-13226

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 8 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school places are available for children re-entering the country after a period living abroad.

Question reference: S4W-13227

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 6 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what public information is made available to promote energy efficiency schemes and how the public can distinguish between Scottish Government-supported initiatives and independent schemes.

Schemes supported by the Scottish Government are required to display the Scottish Government logo prominently as a condition of grant.

Scottish Government’s home energy efficiency advice and schemes, such as the Energy Assistance Package and Universal Home Insulation Schemes are promoted under the banner of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland Hotline. This is the single source of energy advice from the Scottish Government and the route to access all SG support. Since 2009-10, the Hotline and assistance available through it have been promoted in national public information campaigns incorporating TV, radio, press, direct mailing, digital, partnerships and localised promotions such as events and community liaison. Further information about schemes and details of how to get in touch/apply are available on the Scottish Government’s own website Greenerscotland.org and on Energy Saving Trust’s website, which is clearly co-branded with the Scottish Government.