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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-17628

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle animal cruelty.

The Scottish Government takes animal welfare seriously and is continuing to take forward its Programme for Government 2017-18 commitments to provide the highest standards of protection for all animals.

To date the Scottish Government has consulted on a modern system of registration and licensing of animal sanctuaries and rehoming agencies with legislation being prepared; consulted on the introduction of compulsory video recording of slaughter at abattoirs in Scotland; agreed guidance with welfare stakeholders to tightly control the use of electronic dog training collars; is preparing for consultation on dog, cat and rabbit breeding and dealing; held an evidence based social media campaign to enhance public awareness of the irresponsible or illegal breeding and sale of dogs in preparation for a wider marketing campaign later this year; and is seeking primary legislation which will permit the maximum sentences for cruelty to domestic and captive animals to be increased.

The Scottish Government has also committed to increase the maximum available penalties for wildlife crime offences during the current Parliament, including those involving cruelty to wild animals.

Question reference: S5W-17635

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 23 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to improve NHS waiting times.

I have been very clear that one of my key priorities for NHSScotland is the improvement of waiting times and that I fully expect all Boards to make significant progress in eradicating long waits in the coming year. In May the Scottish Government announced it was making an additional £50 million available to NHSScotland in 2018-19 to improve acute hospital waiting times. NHS Boards have initially received a share of £25 million and further £25 million later this year. This additional funding will build up capacity and make sure all patients are seen and treated in a more timely fashion.

Question reference: S5W-17630

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce the number of drug-related deaths, in light of reports that they are at an all-time high.

Question reference: S5W-16986

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many trains are scheduled to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2018.

Question reference: S5W-16987

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many trains have travelled between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2018.

Question reference: S5W-16992

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of delays on trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the last 12 months have been due to signalling problems.

Question reference: S5W-16989

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many trains travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2018 have had delays of (a) less and (b) more than five minutes.

In the period 2nd January - 2nd June 2018 (inclusive), the number of trains which have had delays of less than five minutes and more than five minutes is as follows, with the numbers of trains which ran on time, and the total number of trains run, included for context:

Trains run 2 Jan - 2 June 2018	On-time	Delayed less than five minutes	Delayed more than five minutes
17,191	9,056	5,776	2,359

Question reference: S5W-17193

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 28 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce fly-tipping.

We have provided SEPA and local authorities with the powers to fine people who are caught flytipping; with a minimum fixed penalty of £200 up to a maximum fine of £40,000 if prosecuted.

Further measures which influence behaviour towards litter and flytipping are set out within our National Litter Strategy.

Our circular economy strategy, Making Things Last, builds on this through action to improve product design, and increase reuse and repair, which will help address commonly flytipped household items. It also identifies mattresses and tyres as priority items for producer responsibility action and prioritises a reduction in construction waste.

Many public bodies hold a duty to keep their land clear of litter and refuse, as far as is practicable. We have revised the statutory guidance to make it clearer that they can make use of tactics to prevent these problems.

We support detection and enforcement action when people flytip. Zero Waste Scotland's Flymapper system is a way for land managers to record, manage and report flytipping, making it easier to catch offenders and to deal with illegal dumping sites. We continue to support Dumb Dumpers public reporting facility.

Question reference: S5T-01174

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the result of the UK Parliament's vote on Heathrow expansion and its implications for Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-17198

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the regulations regarding the carrying of knives.

The law criminalises the possession of knives in public places where no reasonable excuse or lawful authority exists by the person in possession. There are also similar offences relating to the possession of knives in schools and in prisons. In 2016, the maximum penalties for these offences were increased from four years in custody to five years in custody.

While the Scottish Government always keeps criminal laws under review, there are no current plans to make changes to these specific offences.

Route	Trains scheduled to run
Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High	38,548
Edinburgh-Glasgow via Bathgate	38,849
Edinburgh-Glasgow via Shotts	16,783
Edinburgh-Glasgow via Carstairs	3,913
Total	98,093