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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-26592

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 17 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Education for Scotland regarding promoting the study of rheumatology at (a) undergraduate, (b) postgraduate and (c) professional medical training level.

There has been no recent discussions between the Scottish Government and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) regarding promoting the study of rheumatology. However, following the annual assessment of supply & demand for Rheumatologists, the Scottish Government has increased the Rheumatology establishment to 23 as of 2020. The assessment involved input from NES, Medical Royal Colleges and Specialty training boards regarding supply, demand and factors such as less than full time working.

NES has operational oversight for the recruitment, placement and quality assurance of all medical specialties in Scotland, and works with Health Boards, GP Practices and Medical Royal Colleges to effectively carry out this role. In fulfilling its role, NES will publicise and promote training opportunities available in any given location. In terms of rheumatology, promotion is largely focused around the exposure to the specialty through training posts in rheumatology units and in relation to local, regional and national specialty-focussed learning events.

Outwith formal training programmes, NES also provides a range of continuous professional development (CPD) training materials for doctors in specific autoimmune conditions and joint diseases, as do the British Society for Rheumatology. Learning and development in medical practice does not finish when a doctor completes their medical training, and all doctors have a professional obligation to reflect on their skills and knowledge and undergo CPD.

Question reference: S5W-26558

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and what the latest timetable is for completion of the process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-03743 on 13 November 2019 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12358&i=111699 .

I also wrote to the Convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on 16 November 2019 to provide an update on progress towards the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. A copy of this letter is available at https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/109195.aspx

Given the need to protect the integrity of the process and respect the wishes of parties involved, the Scottish Government are limited in the information we can provide due to the requirement to maintain confidentiality. We have, however, committed to providing an update to Parliament once we are in a position to do so, while respecting the need to maintain confidentiality for commercial reasons.

Question reference: S5O-03896

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to request a section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 on 13 December.

Question reference: S5O-03864

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure farmers are supported to operate in an environmentally sustainable way.

Question reference: S5O-03823

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle loneliness among older people.

Question reference: S5W-26277

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 15 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of all recipients of funding from the Investing in Communities Fund in the current year, also broken down by amount.

The Scottish Government launched the new £11.5m per year Investing in Communities Fund in 2019/20. All applicants were notified of the outcome of the fund on 1 November 2019, following which the Empowering Communities Programme webpage on the Scottish Government’s website was updated on 5 November. This includes a list of the organisations and projects approved by the independent panel.

Our webpage will be updated to include confirmed funding awards for 2019-20 on completion of the technical checks currently underway.

The Empowering Communities Programme webpage can be found at:

https://www.gov.scot/policies/community-empowerment/empowering-communities-fund/

Question reference: S5O-03796

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the national action plan on neurological conditions, which was first announced on 14 September 2017.

Question reference: S5F-03719

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 November 2019

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to reduce levels of diabetes, heart disease and stroke among over 65s.

Question reference: S5W-26119

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what improvement work is planned for the A77, and what the (a) cost and (b) timeline is for this.

The Scottish Government is investing £29 million in the A77 Maybole Bypass. The contract was awarded to Wills Bros Civil Engineering Limited on 12 April 2019 and the 5km bypass is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

In the current financial year, the Scottish Government will invest approximately £2 million on road maintenance schemes on the A77. In addition, there are also road safety improvement schemes being progressed. This financial year these include:

A proposed speed limit reduction on the A77 south of Ballantrae at a cost of £30,000.
Introduction of speed management from Shallochpark Roundabout to Knockcushan Street, Girvan at a cost of £45,000
Minor signing improvements at the junction with the A751 with an estimated cost of £10,000.

There is also an investigation into accidents at A77 Doonholm Road junction, Ayr. Remedial measures are to be agreed and these may include traffic signals. If traffic signals are included these are estimated to cost in the order of £100,000.

Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and the South West Scotland Transport Study is also being progressed. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to all modes of transport on key strategic corridors, including that served by the A77. The study will provide recommendations which identify transport interventions to be considered in more detail through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. The output of the review will provide Scottish Ministers with a programme of potential transport investment opportunities over the period 2022 – 2042 and will support the vision, priorities and outcomes of the new National Transport Strategy.

Question reference: S5W-26141

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 11 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when successful applicants to the Investing in Communities Fund will be informed, in light of the extended deadline of 31 October having now passed.