- Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how often the Council of Economic Advisers has met since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how often it is scheduled to meet in the next year.
Answer
The Council of Economic Advisers has met virtually on a number of occasions since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members calls with officials took place on 8 June 2020, 1 September 2020 and 11 December 2020. A full meeting was held on 29 October 2020 with the attendance of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance. A further full meeting of the Council was held on 4 March 2021, with the attendance of the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture. Minutes of these meetings will be published on the Scottish Government website.
Arrangements are being put in place to establish the new Council for Economic Transformation, which will shape and drive our 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation. We have already publicly committed to do this within the our first 100 days and we will update with regard to progress, including how it interacts with other advisory groups such as the Council for Economic Advisers, shortly.
- Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and what was discussed.
Answer
Ben Macpherson MSP, as Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, met with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTTNPA) via Microsoft Teams on 17 February 2021. This was a meeting with the Convener (James Stuart) and Chief Executive Officer (Gordon Watson) of the LLTTNPA. The agenda covered; LLTTNPA’s background to strategic priorities, green recovery and the park authority’s future plans.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it recognises dental care as part of preventative healthcare, and, if so, how it will ensure that cost is not a barrier to receiving adequate healthcare.
Answer
As part of this Government’s manifesto commitment, all NHS dental charges will be removed in the lifetime of this Parliament.
Currently, those in the most financial need receive their NHS dental treatment free of charge, whilst those on a low income may be entitled to help with health costs under the Low Income Scheme (LIS).
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people in every community can access NHS dentistry.
Answer
We have a record number of people registered with a NHS dentist, more than 95% of the population of Scotland.
We intend to build on this success story which is why as part of this Government’s Manifesto Commitment, all NHS dental charges will be removed in the lifetime of this Parliament.
- Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin its public consultation on Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs), as proposed in the Respiratory Care Action Plan.
Answer
A public consultation into the advertising and promotion of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) will begin this Autumn. The consultation was postponed due to the pandemic and will cover views on potentially introducing Scotland wide restrictions on the advertising, promotion, brandsharing and sponsorship of these products.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the A77 bypass project at Maybole.
Answer
The construction of the A77 Maybole Bypass project is progressing well and is anticipated to be complete in winter 2021 as confirmed in the Infrastructure Investment Plan update published in December 2020.
This date is subject to any further impacts of the pandemic and unforeseen circumstances such as the effects of exceptional weather.
- Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) availability and (b) reliability of broadband coverage on public transport.
Answer
The availability and reliability of broadband by each mode of public transport is summarised in the following table:-
Broadband Coverage on Public Transport |
Mode | (a) Availability and (b) Reliability |
Bus | The installation of broadband on buses is a matter for each individual bus operator to consider and fund using their own commercial judgement on the implementation. A number of bus operators across Scotland already include fitted WiFi to their new buses and this is expected to increase further as fleets continue to be upgraded. |
Ferries | Ferry operators use the existing fixed line and WiFi networks on board and in ports to provide service and take advantage of improvements in landline and broadband services, and mobile connectivity as they are delivered by telecoms providers. |
Trains | All ScotRail trains have WiFi fitted and made available to customers for free. Transport Scotland and Scottish Government are engaged with Network Rail to explore the potential to utilise the deployment of fibre optic cable on the rail network to facilitate a number of benefits in respect of train performance, safety, train connectivity and rural connectivity. |
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what additional costs (a) it and (b) the operator will incur if additional vessels are chartered to cover prolonged periods of service disruption as set out in the current contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Answer
The cost incurred due to disruptions, including potential charter of any additional tonnage, if available, would depend on the time over which vessels were chartered for and under which conditions. We are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage, including consideration of the suitability of MV Pentalina to increase resilience across the network. In addition, we have also confirmed new investment of £580 million in ports and vessels to support and improve Scotland’s ferry services over the next five years, as part of our wider infrastructure investment plan.
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what lessons will be learned from the incident over the weekend of 29 May 2021, which saw 17 lorries left behind in Stornoway due to a shortage of freight capacity.
Answer
Since becoming Minister for Transport, I have prioritised issues on our ferry networks. I have met with senior CalMac representatives to provide support and with local MSPs (25 May) to hear their concerns. I have agreed to continue with regular dialogue given the importance of the issue.
Following these discussions and in light of the recent issues with the MV Loch Seaforth, funding has now been agreed which will allow officials to work with CalMac Ferries Ltd to implement the process of chartering the MV Pentalina. Berthing trials are happening this week to assess the suitability of the vessel across the network.
In relation to the issue with the MV Hebridean Isles, I understand all goods were shipped early Saturday morning and the remainder later that afternoon (29 May 2021) on the MV Isle of Lewis.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland first considered chartering the MV Pentalina for service on routes set out in the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
Answer
The chartering of the MV Pentalina was considered in late 2019 when it became surplus to Pentland Ferries requirements with the introduction of their new vessel. At that point however the proposed charter terms would not allow the vessel to be meaningfully deployed to support the network .