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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-13228

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 6 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority spends on school meals and what the average cost is per meal.

<>The following table shows gross revenue expenditure and average expenditure per meal by local authorities on school meal provision in financial year 2010-11.

Local Authority	Gross Expenditure £'000s	Cost Per School Meal (£:p)
Aberdeen City	4,342	2.69
Aberdeenshire	4,863	1.68
Angus	2,706	2.38
Argyll and Bute	3,947	4.01
Clackmannanshire	1,555	2.16
Dumfries and Galloway	5,532	3.40
Dundee City	3,057	2.40
East Ayrshire	3,643	2.83
East Dunbartonshire	3,954	2.88
East Lothian	2,655	3.13
East Renfrewshire	3,464	3.38
Edinburgh, City of	4,680	2.25
Eilean Siar	1,926	4.50
Falkirk	4,102	1.96
Fife	11,128	3.30
Glasgow City	17,317	2.72
Highland	9,513	3.33
Inverclyde	2,499	2.63
Midlothian	3,449	3.76
Moray	3,835	3.29
North Ayrshire	6,035	3.87
North Lanarkshire	12,040	3.56
Orkney Islands	1,447	5.04
Perth and Kinross	2,678	1.92
Renfrewshire	2,582	1.91
Scottish Borders	2,993	3.02
Shetland Islands	2,309	5.29
South Ayrshire	3,251	2.24
South Lanarkshire	9,322	2.35
Stirling	2,128	2.39
West Dunbartonshire	3,761	3.72
West Lothian	4,685	2.79
Scotland - average	151,398	2.83

Source: Local Financial Returns (LFR 01).

Question reference: S4W-13128

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 4 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve areas of poor air quality in 2013-14.

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with local authorities, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland and other partners to improve air quality in Scotland. This work will include:

Taking forward the policies outlined in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland and in Scotland’s National Transport Strategy.

Providing practical and financial assistance to local authorities in implementing their air quality action plans; continuing to operate a comprehensive network of around 90 air quality monitoring stations throughout Scotland and utilising the data to inform and develop policy initiatives.

Providing and collating advice and information to the public and other stakeholders through the Scottish Air Quality Website, Scotland’s Environment Web and Scottish Transport Emissions Partnership.

Fulfilling our obligations under EU air quality legislation, including taking account as necessary of any requirements arising from the European Commission’s comprehensive review of air quality policy during the 2013 European Year of Air; and

pursuing measures set out in the Low Carbon Scotland second draft report on proposals and policies which will contribute to improving air quality, such as promoting the take up of electric and hybrid vehicles and active travel, encouraging modal shift to public transport and local initiatives to plant woodland in and around towns.

Question reference: S4O-01894

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what recent discussions it has had with its catering contractor regarding the traceability of its meat supply chain.

Question reference: S4W-12615

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland: Annual Business Plan 2013-14 will include work implementing the national walking strategy.

The national walking strategy is in the early stages of formulation. It is anticipated that the strategy will be delivered towards the end of 2013.

Until the strategy has been developed, it is not possible to say whether the Transport Scotland: Annual Business Plan 2013-14 will require to be updated for work around implementation.

In the meantime we continue to promote walking through our on-going work around active travel.

Question reference: S4W-12614

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 20 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update Transport Scotland Corporate Plan 2012-2015 to include implementation of the forthcoming national walking strategy.

The national walking strategy is at an early stage of formulation. It is anticipated that the strategy will be delivered towards the end of 2013.

Until the strategy has been delivered, and we know its contents, it is not possible to say whether the Transport Scotland Corporate Plan 2012-2015 will require to be updated for work around implementation.

In the meantime we continue to promote walking through our on-going work around active travel.

Question reference: S4W-12612

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 20 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that Waverley railway station does not breach safe air pollution limits.

It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess air quality in their areas under the provisions of the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000. Waverley Station as a partially covered building falls within scope of the relevant local authority.

It is the responsibility of Network Rail as the station operator to provide a safe environment for passengers and staff on its premises. In addition there is a requirement placed on employers under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) to ensure employee exposure limits are not breached.

Question reference: S4W-12613

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it can promote healthy food choices on the high street.

The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Grocers Federation Healthyliving Programme which aims to improve the supply and provision of fresh produce and healthier food choices in local convenience stores with a focus on low-income areas. The support includes training for staff and providing shops with chillers and shelving for the display and promotion of healthier produce.

In December last year the total number of stores in the programme was 1,237 covering all 32 local authorities.

We are also working with the catering sector through the Healthyliving Award which recognises caterers who reduce fat, salt and sugar and make healthy options more easily available. While most of the 690 sites are not on the High Street, we encourage any caterers to work towards achieving the award as it is free and sites are fully supported throughout the process.

Question reference: S4W-12619

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 11 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what data it uses to measure university performance on widening participation to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Statistical data on students attending higher education courses in Scottish universities, including those students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is provided by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and the data is reported on annually by the Scottish Funding Council.

The Scottish Funding Council’s analysis of entrants from disadvantaged backgrounds is based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Question reference: S4W-12425

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on a new food body.

Question reference: S4W-12424

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how its forthcoming consultation on a new food body will address meat inspection issues.