Parliamentary questions
Paul Sweeney
1,340 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
15 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the benchmarking report on Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd that was compiled by First Marine International (FMI).
Answer · Kate Forbes: While our aim is to release information whenever possible, due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information in this instance, we are unable to disclose the findings of the report.
15 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd is actively considering a tender for the new national flagship vessel that was recently announced by the UK Government, and which will be procured via Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), given that a design competition is to be started soon and …
Answer · Kate Forbes: Ferguson Marine closely tracks all projects that could potentially benefit the shipyard.
14 Jun 2021 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the allegation made by Jim McColl in The Herald on Sunday that £25 million of public money was wasted on the "forced" nationalisation of Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd.
11 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the PCR testing capacity in Glasgow has been utilised on each day since 1 May 2021.
Answer · Maree Todd: Scotland’s daily PCR test capacity is over 66,000 per day. This is made up of a combination of the aggregate capacity of all testing sites/facilities and distribution/collection services where individuals can get a test, and laboratory capacity to process the…
11 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in order to safeguard public health, it has considered using vaccine drop-in clinics for attendees and nearby residents during the Euro 2020 fan zone events at Glasgow Green.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: NHS Health Boards are holding drop in clinics to target those who have not yet been vaccinated, and to make it easier for people to receive their second dose. The use of drop in clinics is not directly linked to EURO 2020 Fan Zone events, but is appropriately…
11 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will safeguard the health of attendees and nearby residents for the duration of the Euro 2020 fan zone events at Glasgow Green.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government have worked closely with the Scottish FA, with Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and other partners on the operations of the EURO 2020 Fan Zone at Glasgow Green. The situation with the Fanzone in being continually reviewed during t…
11 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provision is being made for mass testing, utilising rapid lateral flow tests, at the Euro 2020 fan zone events at Glasgow Green.
Answer · Maree Todd: Everyone attending the Glasgow Fan Zone is encouraged to take a lateral flow test prior to the event. From Monday 14 June, rapid lateral flow test kits were mailed to 17,000 ticket holders due to attend the Glasgow Fan Zone, as part of a series of measures to…
10 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the concessionary travel scheme to apply to asylum seekers accommodated in Glasgow under the Home Office Dispersal Programme.
Answer · Graeme Dey: There is no specific eligibility criterion for asylum seekers in either the current Concessionary Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons or the new National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons. We do not plan to extend either scheme in this way. Ho…
10 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00256 by Graeme Dey on 10 June 2021, in light of international examples of inner-city motorway deconstruction and replacement with alternative infrastructure, what engineering and urban planning options are being assessed as alternatives to the stru…
Answer · Graeme Dey: The M8 Woodside Viaducts are essential links in the M8 central Scotland urban motorway, vital for the economy and connectivity of Scotland. Therefore, the repair of the viaducts and removal of restrictions is high priority as Scotland emerges from the Covid-1…
10 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is taking to save the former Sir John Maxwell School building in Pollokshaws from dereliction and potential demolition; what engagement HES has had or is having with (a) Glasgow City Council and its agency City Property LLP and (b) the Sir J…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government understands that Historic Environment Scotland (HES) wrote directly to Mr Sweeney on 24 June 2021. HES assessed this property in 2017, and it was found to not meet the criteria for listing at that time as it was not a notable example …
1 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the proposed Citizen Portal system, offered by the NHS Scotland vendor ServiceNow to allow the general population to book their own COVID-19 vaccination appointments, has not been implemented.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: To manage the volume of vaccination appointments based on available supply we intentionally limited the initial functionality of the Citizen Portal system. The portal can currently be used to reschedule appointments. Unpaid carers and 18-29 year olds can also…
26 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce drop-in vaccination clinics in the Glasgow City Council area.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: While there has been significant success in our progress tackling the virus, and the vaccination programme continues to roll out well across the country The Scottish Government and Health Boards are following the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vacc…
26 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care will meet with student paramedics from the Pay Student Paramedics campaign in order to discuss the implementation of the student paramedic bursary.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I welcome an opportunity to engage with the students of the Pay Student Paramedics campaign and officials are in the process of arranging such a meeting.
26 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the bursary for student paramedics will be in place before the start of the next academic year in September.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00010 on? 7 June 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
26 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to assembling half of all new trains procured for the domestic railway network within Scotland, equivalent to the commitment made by the Welsh Government.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Firstly, as means of clarification the Welsh Government did not commit to 50 percent of its fleet being assembled in Wales prior to its procurement. Both the Welsh and Scottish Governments must comply with relevant procurement law. The procurement strategy f…
26 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement (a) it has and (b) its agencies have had with (i) David Moulsdale and (ii) his company, Springburn Depot SPV Limited, (A) prior to and (B) since its purchase of the St Rollox "Caley" Railway Works site in Springburn.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Neither the Scottish Government or any of its agencies have had engagement with David Moulsdale or his company Spring Depot SPV Limited prior to, or since the purchase of the St Rollox site.
26 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated costs are for structural repair works to the M8 Woodside Viaducts in Glasgow.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland are preparing robust estimates for the all the works involved with the repairs to the viaduct. However, the current estimate for the propping to enable the M8 restrictions to be removed and facilitate the repair works is £33.36million. This…
25 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will revise its vaccination policy to ensure that, regardless of their home address, all school staff within the Glasgow City Council area are prioritised for vaccination within the next month.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: All of our decision making in the approach to responding to Covid-19 is guided by the latest scientific evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) , advice from Health Protection Scotland and our Chief Medical Officer. The Joint Comm…
24 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional financial support it will provide to taxi drivers in the Glasgow City Council area in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government has already paid £32.7 million to more than 21,800 taxi drivers through the Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund. We committed to paying those taxi drivers who previously received a grant, a further grant of £1,500, taking support…
24 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) it and (b) its agencies have had with the UK Government Office for Investment regarding the potential for a new Tesla factory in Scotland.
Answer · Ivan McKee: As Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise I am seeking an urgent meeting with Lord Grimstone, UKG Minister of State for Investment with responsibility for the Office for Investment, to clarify the status of UKG engagement with Tesla. Scottish En…