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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-06867

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 17 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of the term "dyslexic tendencies" in the diagnosis of dyslexia in schools.

The Scottish Government, Dyslexia Scotland and the Cross Party Group on dyslexia in the Scottish Parliament have developed a working definition of dyslexia, which is available through the online ‘Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit’ at http://www.addressingdyslexia.org/pages/index.php?cateogry=10; and this should be used in the identification of dyslexia.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, (as amended) provides a comprehensive legal framework for the provision of additional, targeted support for children and young people who have barriers to learning; this includes dyslexia.

It is the responsibility of all who work with children to respond appropriately to their needs. Recognising early signs of difficulties and adapting learning and teaching approaches are a regular part of the daily routine for all children in an education environment. For those who have additional support needs such as those arising from dyslexia, it is important that these needs are met in the best possible way by accurate and timely identification.

Question reference: S5O-00691

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding engagement with local communities on proposed regeneration plans for the Whitesands in Dumfries.

Question reference: S5W-06869

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 9 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions the proposed Wild Fisheries Bill will make for haff-netters.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our famous and valuable wild fisheries, to modernise our fishery management structures and to establish a more secure and sustainable future for this vital sector. In this Parliamentary term we intend to take forward a Wild Fisheries Bill that will build on our significant conservation achievements to date. The draft Bill provisions that we consulted on last year explicitly retain haaf netting, certified fixed engines, and cruives as lawful methods of fishing.

We will continue discussions about the designation of haaf netting as a heritage fishery, and we will look to progress that in our wider consideration of the planned Wild Fisheries Bill.

Question reference: S5O-00627

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 1 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support rural halls and community spaces.

Question reference: S5W-05929

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made for air weapon certificates under the new licencing scheme, and what assessment it has made of the level.

As at 31 December 2016, Police Scotland had received a total of 12,384 applications for an air weapon certificate. This is broadly consistent with the estimates for the first 5 year licensing round, set out in the Financial Memorandum which accompanied the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill when it was first introduced.

From 31 December 2016, those who already hold a firearm or shot gun certificate may, when applying to renew that licence, apply for a "co-terminous" air weapon certificate. It is expected that the majority of the 51,076 * current certificate holders will also hold air weapons.

[* Source: Police Service of Scotland Management Information published

29 November 2016 - Number of Certificates on issue at 15 November 2016]

Question reference: S5W-05540

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 10 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the A76 will be fully re-opened.

At Auchensell Pool, Scotland TranServ commenced remedial works on 28 November and these were completed on 23 December 2016, allowing the removal of the temporary traffic lights.

At Enterkinfoot, the embankment failure is much more complex. This requires more detailed ground investigation, which will then feed into the design of a preferred solution, followed by construction.

The ground investigation works at Enterkinfoot are ongoing and are scheduled to continue until March 2017. Design and construction works will follow the ground investigation and until these investigations and designs progress further, a timescale for full re-opening of the A76 cannot be provided.

Question reference: S5W-05543

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of hospital waiting times in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

The Scottish Government regularly assesses all waiting time performance across all Boards, including in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. In the current year we have made available an additional £565,000 to address waiting times in Dumfries and Galloway. The recent Draft Budget announced in Parliament on 15 December 2016, shows that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has an indicative allocation of £284.9 million for
2017-18, an increase of £5.5 million which includes a £4.2 million (1.5%) increase to baseline funding.

On 29 November I announced a plan to deliver a major shift in the way outpatient care is delivered, giving patients faster and more local access to care, has been published The Modern Outpatient: A Collaborative Approach 2017-2020 sets out a new strategy for responding to rising demand and aims to free up 400,000 hospital outpatient appointments by 2020. The strategy proposes that some patients, particularly those who are waiting for a routine check-up or test results, would be seen closer to home by a team of community healthcare professionals with close links to hospital departments. The NHS will also make better use of e-consultations and action will be taken to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals.

Question reference: S5W-05554

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 30 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the ENABLE Scotland report, #IncludED in the Main?!.

The Scottish Government will consider the recommendations of the Enable Scotland Report #Included In the Main?! in conjunction with the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning and other key stakeholders.

The Scottish Government is in the process of developing revised guidance for education authorities and schools on the presumption of mainstream education. This guidance is being developed in partnership with key stakeholders including Enable Scotland and will be published for public consultation early in 2017.

Question reference: S5W-05555

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 22 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot disease since 2013.

Our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) through the Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group (SDFAG) aims to improve the awareness of foot care to reduce the number of people developing avoidable ulcers and prevent the risk of limb amputation.

Our SDFAG is leading on a number of work streams to achieve the aims such as, putting greater emphasis on preventative care by campaigning to reduce the incidence of new diabetic foot ulcers developing in hospital, and education programmes for staff.

Furthermore, a new antibiotic guidance has been developed and the National Diabetic Foot Risk Stratification and Triage system updated.

Incidence of foot ulcers are included within NHS Boards quarterly reporting and recent updates to SCI-Diabetes will support improved monitoring of diabetes foot disease.

Question reference: S5W-05541

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS Dumfries and Galloway expects to make a spending reduction of £19 million over the next year.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway presented a draft Financial Plan for 2017-18 at their Board meeting on 5^th December 2016. This included £19 million of efficiency savings as part of an overall plan to deliver financial balance.

These savings are not about a reduction in spending, as all savings are retained locally for reinvestment in frontline services. Following the Draft Budget announced in Parliament on 15^th December 2016, NHS Dumfries and Galloway has an indicative allocation of £284.9m for 2017-18, an increase of £5.5m which includes a £4.2m (1.5%) increase to baseline funding.

Boards are rightly required to continually assess their expenditure of public funds to ensure the delivery of best value and make the most effective use of funding for the benefit of patients. The combination of increases in funding and retention of savings will ensure that priorities are safeguarded.