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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-25817

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual cost to (a) public funds and (b) Serco NorthLink from the planned (i) maintenance and (ii) dry docking of the publicly-owned fleet during the 2019-27 Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

We initially estimated the total contract value at some £370 million. It is for the operator to deliver costed service solutions that fall within that initial value.

Although annual subsidy requirements will be published on a retrospective basis, financial details of the successful bidder's tender, including planned maintenance and dry docking will remain commercially confidential.

This remains a live procurement and there is a limit on what further information can be provided at this time. A redacted version of the signed contract will subsequently be made available on Transport Scotland's website.

Question reference: S5W-25820

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government further to the Transport Scotland news release of 20 September 2019, whether it expects to introduce the three-year fares freeze for (a) passengers, (b) non-commercial vehicles and (c) cabins on the (i) Aberdeen-Lerwick and (ii) Kirkwall-Lerwick routes from January 2020.

Question reference: S5W-25854

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many additional support for learning staff have been employed during each of the last 10 years, also broken down by local authority.

We want all children and young people to receive the support they need to reach their full potential.

We are clear that all school staff provide additional support for learning, not just support for learning staff.

Information on the number of staff employed during each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority can be found here:

https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education
/SupportStaff

https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/
teachcenssuppdata

https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20180515164130/
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/02/09090009/110 .

Question reference: S5W-25855

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA on its Programme for Government announcement to invest an additional £15 million in additional support for learning.

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with CoSLA about our commitment to invest an additional £15 million in additional support for learning.

We are engaging with CoSLA to agree how this commitment will be implemented across Scotland to build capacity within education authorities and schools to respond more effectively to the individual needs of children and young people; and enhance learning outcomes to ensure young people reach their future potential.

Question reference: S5W-25873

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it (a) received or (b) expects to receive the report by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division on the public inquiry on the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme, and when it will announce its decision whether to proceed with or reject the scheme.

Question reference: S5W-25875

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects the proposals set out in the recently passed Transport (Scotland) Bill regarding bus services to come into effect.

The Transport (Scotland) Bill was passed on 10 October and is anticipated to receive Royal Assent before the end of this year.

A good deal of preparatory work will be undertaken on the significant volume of regulations and guidance required in relation to the new provisions on bus services. My officials will be engaging with local transport authorities and operators over the coming months in taking this work forward with a view to beginning commencement of the provisions during 2020.

Question reference: S5O-03692

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many carer and disability benefit recipients in the South Scotland region participate in the social security experience panels.

Question reference: S5W-25520

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it will encourage local authorities to take a consistent approach toward the implementation and application of workplace parking levies.

The amendments introduced at Stage 2 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill provide the discretionary power for a local authority to introduce a workplace parking levy (WPL). The provisions enable local authorities to work together to introduce a joint WPL. It is for a local authority proposing a WPL to set out the scope of the scheme it proposes within the context of its local transport strategy. This allows local authorities to develop a scheme to reflect local circumstances. The provisions require that a local authority publish this information in advance, carry out an assessment of impact and consult on any proposal.

Question reference: S5W-25519

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a sunset provision for the duration of workplace parking levies, as is the case for business improvement districts.

The amendments introduced at Stage 2 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill provide the discretionary power for a local authority to introduce a workplace parking levy (WPL). It is for a local authority proposing a WPL to set out the duration of any scheme and arrangements for review, in the light of local circumstances. Before commencement of any scheme, local authorities are required to consult on any proposed workplace parking scheme including the proposed duration.

Question reference: S5W-25517

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its plan to introduce workplace parking levies, whether it is updating or reviewing the advice and support that it offers to firms regarding developing workplace travel plans.

Transport Scotland funds existing schemes which remain valid, offering employer the opportunity to develop workplace travel plans relevant to local circumstances. The Way to Work website signposts directly to all available support tools and funding streams which encourage active and sustainable travel within the workplace. The Travelknowhow Scotland online resource provides tailored advice and resources which employers can use to support their workforce to travel sustainably. Local Authorities are able to use their allocation of the annual £5m Smarter Choices Smarter Places Fund behaviour change programme to support local employers with workplace travel planning ideas.