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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-06338

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 April 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average life expectancy is of a person living in the east end of Glasgow.

Question reference: S4O-00857

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how the new National 4 qualification will be monitored to ensure consistent grading standards nationally.

Question reference: S4W-06104

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 March 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 20 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) economic and (b) congestion impacts have been on (i) Glasgow and the (ii) west of Scotland of the M74 motorway extension.

Journey times, across and through Glasgow have been reduced by between five and 18 minutes during peak periods. Reduced congestion has been observed along the M8 northern flank, across the Kingston Bridge as well as along a number of the surface streets across the local road network.

Transport Scotland is currently examining traffic patterns and lane usage where the M74 and the M8 join the M77 southbound at the M8 Junction 22 Plantation Interchange, where some issues have been observed during the evening peak period.

It is too early to determine the economic impacts of the scheme on Glasgow or the West of Scotland, however this and other matters such as air quality, traffic noise, journey times, accident statistics are being examined as part of a wide-ranging project evaluation exercise being undertaken by Transport Scotland. The data gathering for the project evaluation is underway and a series of interim reports will be prepared as and when data becomes available, with a final report scheduled to be completed in 2016 (subject to data availability).

Question reference: S4W-06103

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 March 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 20 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish a housing Bill in the near future.

Question reference: S4W-06106

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 March 2012
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 15 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits people living in the east end of Glasgow can expect as a result of the Commonwealth Games being primarily based there.

Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest multi-sports event that Scotland has ever hosted, and will bring significant opportunities and benefits for Glasgow and for Scotland. The Scottish Government works closely with a wide range of partners, including all local authorities, to ensure these benefits are maximised and that these games leave a lasting legacy for the whole of Scotland.

For the east end of Glasgow specifically, the skyline is already being transformed through the building of infrastructure for the games, leaving a lasting physical, economic and social legacy. The construction of the multi-million pound Athletes’ Village will become a desirable new residential community after the games, providing 700 new quality homes. The state-of-the-art sports facilities will be available for the local community to enjoy, whilst enabling Glasgow to secure further high profile national and international events.

Road and rail connectivity will be improved through projects which have been or will be completed such as the M74 completion, the M80 upgrade and the refurbishment of Dalmarnock Station. Clyde Gateway URC are taking forward a number of Games-related projects which will benefit the east end of Glasgow including new office space and the renovation of the iconic Olympia Theatre at Bridgeton.The Scottish Government and delivery partners continue to engage with community groups and partners in the Dalmarnock area to discuss how a lasting legacy can be achieved together. Most recently this included working with Glasgow City Council to prepare a funding package that will create a modern, fit for purpose facility that meets the needs of the East Carers within the Aquatic Centre after the 2014 games have taken place. More generally, Glasgow businesses are winning games-related contracts and supporting local jobs. Many of the 127 graduates of the Personal Best employment programme pilot were from the east end of Glasgow.

There are also a range of Scotland-wide legacy programmes, including Community Sports Hubs, games for Scotland events, and Young Scot’s Youth Legacy Ambassadors which are creating opportunities across every local authority in Scotland. The full range of opportunities from the games can be found on the games legacy portal at www.gameslegacyscotland.org.

Question reference: S4W-06105

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 March 2012
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 15 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be created as a result of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

2014 games-related contracts have provided job opportunities locally and nationally and will continue to do so up to and beyond the Games. To date, thousands of jobs have been supported to construct some of the key infrastructure crucial for staging the games. Social and economic benefits will be delivered through these games-related contracts, and wider activity led by Transport Scotland, Glasgow City Council, the 2014 Organising Committee and Clyde Gateway URC.

A framework to evaluate the legacy of the Games has been developed and is available on http://gameslegacyscotland.org/how-are-we-doing. Reporting against this framework will provide evidence of economic impact, including employment, as a result of the 2014 games. The Scottish Government is currently undertaking economic modelling to estimate the total number of jobs supported through building and refurbishment of Commonwealth Games venues. In addition a full economic impact study will report during 2015.

Question reference: S4O-00742

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what the tendering process is for work related to the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Question reference: S4O-00691

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what plans are in place to provide funding or other travel assistance to schools from deprived areas that cannot afford to visit the Parliament.

Question reference: S4W-05039

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 3 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive when the 2012-13 grant settlement for colleges will be published.

Question reference: S4O-00671

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 February 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive when the chief constable will be appointed for the proposed single Scottish police service.