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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-12891

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2017
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 5 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet (a) animal welfare organisations, (b) veterinary organisations, (c) academics and (d) clinical behaviourists to discuss the use of electronic shock collars on dogs.

Question reference: S5W-12893

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2017
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 5 December 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing an SVQ for dog trainers on the use of electronic shock collars.

Question reference: S5O-01518

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 November 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail regarding reported ticket price anomalies on the Nith Valley line and West Coast Main Line.

Question reference: S5W-12478

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 November 2017
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 10 November 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it will have with (a) animal welfare charities and (b) other groups considered to have expertise in this area, including Battersea Dog & Cats Home ,when drafting its legislation regarding increasing the maximum animal cruelty sentence to five years imprisonment, and by what date this legislation will be introduced.

The Scottish Government has regular contact with its major animal welfare stakeholders. Recent meetings, including with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home representatives, discussed the Programme for Government 2017-18 commitment to prepare to amend the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to increase the maximum penalty for the most serious offences to 5 years imprisonment.

The Scottish Government is currently considering the most suitable legislative vehicle to deliver this commitment.

Question reference: S5W-11567

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making continuous glucose monitoring sensors available under prescription to (a) children and (b) adults with type 1 diabetes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is currently available from NHS Scotland as one of the treatment options in the management of glycaemic control for people living with type 1 diabetes.

To increase the provision of CGM for all age groups and insulin pump therapy for adults, the Scottish Government is investing £10m over the term of this Parliament.

We have worked closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) on the development of a national approach that ensures appropriate CGM services are established in NHS Boards across Scotland.

£2m of this additional funding was invested during this financial year (2017-18). NHS Boards received their respective funding in June 2017 through the established allocations process.

The allocation of funding has taken into account a number of factors including the number of individuals with type 1 diabetes in each NHS Board area, equity of access and current levels of provision of adult insulin pumps and CGMs.

Question reference: S5O-01333

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 4 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to raise spending on general practice to 11% of the NHS budget.

By the end of this Parliament, the Scottish Government will increase spending on primary care to 11% of the frontline NHS budget. This is an increase of £500 million and will support the development of a multi-disciplinary approach, with increased staffing as well as investment in GP services and health centres.

In March this year I announced that funding in direct support of general practice will increase by £250 million by the end of this Parliament as part of the wider commitment to increase primary care funding by £500 million. This will help to transform the way services are delivered in the community, and is an approach that was agreed with the British Medical Association.

In this financial year, over £71 million is being invested in general practice to improve recruitment and retention, reduce workload, develop new ways of delivering services and cover pay and expenses.

Question reference: S5W-11359

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 3 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has had with South Scotland MSPs regarding proposals to establish a South of Scotland Economic Partnership.

On 13 September, I confirmed that we would establish an interim South of Scotland Economic Partnership by the end of the year so that the area benefits from a new approach. We are working with stakeholders, including Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council, to develop the detail of the arrangements. Throughout Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review we consulted widely with MSPs on matters related to the Review and will continue to do so.

Question reference: S5W-11358

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 3 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has had with South Scotland MSPs regarding proposals to establish a South of Scotland Enterprise Agency.

Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review confirmed that we would establish a new public body to support the South of Scotland. Programme for Government published on 5 September confirmed that legislation establishing the body will be introduced into Parliament in 2018. Throughout Phase 2 we consulted widely with MSPs on matters related to the Review, I look forward to continuing to do so as the legislative process progresses.

Question reference: S5W-11360

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 29 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) membership and (b) budget will be of the proposed South of Scotland Economic Partnership.

On 13 September, I confirmed that the interim South of Scotland Economic Partnership will bring together organisations to support economic growth in the South of Scotland and will involve public and private partners to ensure that the area sees benefits as soon as is possible. I look forward to confirming the full membership shortly.

Consideration of the funding requirements to support the interim partnership is being undertaken alongside all the other budget requirements across the Scottish Government as part of the Draft Budget process. We will ensure that investment and budgets to support economic growth in the south of Scotland are strongly aligned to deliver maximum impact.

Question reference: S5W-11362

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 29 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government who will appoint the chairperson of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership and when the appointment will be made.