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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S5W-32534

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of current safety measures (a) on buses and (b) in bus depots and stations to protect staff and passengers from COVID-19.

As part of the Transport Transition Plan the Scottish Government produced a range of guidance in relation to transport. This includes guidance for transport operators to keep their staff and those using their services safe, initially published on 26 May 2020.

The cornerstone of our guidance for transport operators is its emphasis on the importance of robust and on-going risk based assessment with full input from trade unions. Among other things operators are expected to implement measures to manage transmission risk, reinforce cleaning procedures and promote good hygiene regimes. They should also communicate how safety measures are being implemented to staff and passengers and make clear what is expected of them.

Officials are in regular dialogue with operators and other stakeholders on safety measures, and the guidance will continue to be reviewed and updated as appropriate.

Question reference: S5W-32210

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31979 by Michael Matheson on 30 September 2020, whether it continues to support a public sector operator running services and holding contracts under any model that replaces franchising.

Question reference: S5W-32526

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of compliance with the wearing of face coverings, and what the estimated level of compliance is (a) on (i) bus, (ii) train, (iii) ferry and (iv) airline services and (b) in (A) taxi and private hire vehicles and (B) bus and railway stations.

Since the mandatory wearing of face covering came into force in Scotland on 22 June, uptake has increased considerably across public transport modes. Transport operators advise compliance is generally high, observed normally to be between 80% to 100%, though there are localised variations.

The powers are in place, through the legislation, for fixed penalty notices to be issued, if required, to enforce compliance.

Question reference: S5W-32533

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to take any further action to improve the enforcement of the wearing of face coverings on public transport.

Enforcement of the wearing of face coverings on public transport rests with Police Scotland and the British Transport Police.

Transport Scotland is in regular dialogue with transport operators who have been reminded, as per Scottish Government guidance, that they are expected to consider displaying prominent signage highlighting that face-coverings must be worn and also that their staff may enquire if a passenger is not wearing a face-covering and remind them of their legal obligation to do so, unless they are exempt.

Question reference: S5W-32532

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of enforcement regarding the wearing of face coverings on public transport, and how many fines have been issued for non-compliance.

Question reference: S5W-32208

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of the planned replacement of the Railways Act 1993 on section 57 of the Scotland Act 2016, and what assurances it has sought that an equivalent power will be included in any future rail legislation.

The UK Government has not confirmed an intention to replace the UK Railways Act 1993. We are currently awaiting the publication of the outcomes from the UK Rail Review (Williams Review), which were originally due in the Autumn of last year.

It remains our long-held view that the devolution of our railway is required to enable the Scottish Government to consider the full range of options for structuring Scotland’s railway.

Question reference: S5W-32114

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31754 by Fergus Ewing on 22 September 2020, what it plans to use the financial transactions funding for; what discussions it has had with farmers and crofters on its use, and when it will set out detailed proposals for its use.

Further to the answer to question S5W-31754 given on 22 September 2020, while the Scottish Government is continuing to investigate if there are any suitable opportunities to utilise this funding, I need to be confident that any proposal identifies a gap in the market, can deliver the required outcomes and is deliverable in a way that practical for farmers and crofters. That assessment is continuing and if we are able to utilise this funding option. Parliament will be advised in due course.

Question reference: S5W-32133

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) Abellio ScotRail and (b) Serco Caledonian Sleeper Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) for the period from 20 September 2020.

Question reference: S5W-32135

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the initial Abellio ScotRail Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) included funding for a management fee for the operator but did not include funding for the 2020-21 staff pay award.

In order to maintain rail passenger service continuity throughout this period, the Scottish Government released significant funding of £250m which enabled Abellio ScotRail to maintain full employment of staff. The management fee associated with the earlier Emergency Measures Agreement with Abellio ScotRail included a performance element, ensuring focus on immediate service continuity for essential journeys. A similar approach was taken by the Department for Transport at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5W-32113

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31754 by Fergus Ewing on 22 September 2020, what the remaining capital budget will be used for; how its intended use differs from the aims of the Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme, and when detailed proposals for allocating this funding will be set out.