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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: S5W-04779

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 30 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that changes to health and social care targets and indicators that result from the national review will support the delivery of the draft health and social care standards, which are due to be implemented in Spring 2018.

Question reference: S5W-04750

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 24 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04538 by Michael Matheson on 16 November 2016, whether any other minister has made representations to (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding police charging for events.

Question reference: S5W-04624

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 23 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the actions of Laing O’Rourke, which is contracted to build the new acute hospital in Dumfries and Galloway, in light of claims by the construction union, UCATT, that it has been refused access to the site, and what its position is on how such actions support fair work and the role of trade unions.

We have continually shown our commitment to promoting positive relationships with Trade Unions as they provide a voice and a source of empowerment to those that might otherwise go unheard.

There is clear evidence that unionised workplaces have more engaged staff, have a higher level of staff training and a progressive approach to staff wellbeing.

Trade unions have a crucial role to play both in distributing the ‘returns’ from work and in contributing to making workplaces more effective and prosperous for all.

Industrial Relations in Scotland are strong and we will continue to work closely with Trade Unions to promote the benefits of Trade Unions to employers.

We would encourage Laing O’Rourke and UCATT to work together to seek a resolution which best supports their workforce.

Question reference: S5O-00381

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 23 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what the total value is of the Attainment Scotland Fund and what proportion of this has been allocated to schools in Dumfries and Galloway.

We will allocate £750m through the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the course of this Parliament. This year, Dumfries and Galloway has been allocated up to £267,786 - £151,253 through the Attainment Challenge Innovation Fund and £116,533 for the two schools which are in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme - Kelloholm Primary and Sanquhar Academy.

From next April, schools in Dumfries and Galloway will benefit from the £100m which will be allocated direct to schools on the basis of the number of children in each primary school and the first three years of secondary school that meet the national eligibility criteria for free school meals.

Question reference: S5W-04539

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a minimum level of school clothing grant and whether parents will be involved in the process of developing this.

The Education (Scotland) Act introduced a provision to allow Scottish Ministers to make regulations to require local authorities to pay a minimum amount of school clothing grants to families or young people. The detail of the amount of grant and the eligibility criteria would be set out in regulations.

Scottish Ministers continue to discuss the provision of school clothing grants and appropriate timescales for implementation with COSLA. We intend to achieve this in partnership with COSLA rather than by imposing regulations, in the same way that we have successfully implemented universal free school meals for Primary 1-3. However, the regulation-making power provides an alternative route should this not prove possible.

We will engage with relevant stakeholders, including parents, as we develop this policy.

Question reference: S5W-04538

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding police charging for events.

Question reference: S5W-03715

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding the reported concerns about rising charges being imposed for policing music festivals in Dumfries and Galloway.

Police Scotland follows the standard approach to setting charges for public services as set out in the Scottish Government's Scottish Public Finance Manual - which is based on full cost recovery.

The policing of events are dealt with on a case by case basis by the local Area commanders, in discussion with event organisers, local authorities and other relevant interested parties.

Police forces have always been obliged to charge for their services. Prior to the establishment of Police Scotland, the legacy forces all had agreed charging rates but the application of these rates and associated charging methodology varied. The establishment of the single service provide the opportunity to put in place a consistent charging policy for policing services across Scotland

Question reference: S5O-00243

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in South Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-02013

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 August 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 15 September 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to (a) farmers, (b) crofters and (c) other businesses affected by delays in making common agricultural policy payments.

Government officials held extensive discussions with industry and the banking sector, to design a support scheme to help ease cash flow for those farmers and crofters who had not received a first instalment payment.

The Scottish Government backed loan scheme opened for applications on 22 February 2016, and under the scheme those farmers and crofters who could not access support from their bank will be able to apply to the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government also earmarked up to £200 million of national funds to be used to fund the National Basic Payment Scheme so that anyone who had not received an instalment by the end of March 2016 could receive a nationally-funded payment of up to 80 per cent of their CAP claim.

Question reference: S5O-00146

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2016
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 15 September 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how the Enterprise and Skills Review will deliver its commitment to regional cohesion.

As already highlighted in response to Mr Lockhart’s question earlier, the Enterprise and Skills Review has benefitted from high levels of stakeholder interest and engagement during the summer. Over 320 responses from individuals, representative organisations and institutions have been received to our call for evidence, showing the Review’s critical importance.

As noted, the first stage of the review will conclude shortly and set out the key recommendations for change across a number of areas. This will include regional considerations. Phase 2 will take forward consideration of these recommendations with key partners, including in the South of Scotland. The timetable for this will be set out alongside the Phase 1 outcomes.

Our Economic Strategy demonstrates our commitment to promoting inclusive growth and creating opportunity for all through a fair and inclusive jobs market and regional cohesion. Ensuring all parts of Scotland benefit from sustainable economic growth and contribute to it is essential to Scotland's prosperity and cohesion.