Parliamentary questions

Katy Clark

746 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on putting the mutual investment model (MIM) into active use in Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (most recently published in 2021) ( The Scottish Government's Medium Term Financial Strategy - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) ) sets out the revenue finance models available to the Scottish Government. The mutual investmen…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to mandate any national infrastructure company with providing unbiased advice on investing in repairing and repurposing older buildings as part of Scotland's commitment to net zero.

Answer · Michael Matheson: To support delivery of the National Infrastructure Mission we established the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland to provide long term strategic advice on national infrastructure priorities. Our infrastructure plans build on these recommendations and work …

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it has evaluated the implementation of the Learning Estate Investment Programme, and what assessment it has made of how elements of the programme could be expanded across other sectors.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) currently comprises of thirty-seven projects. One school project is complete and eight are currently in construction, with the remainder in development by the local authorities. Projects are delivered locally, w…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research and modelling it has carried out to ensure that any proposed national infrastructure company will support local authorities in finding the best solutions for designing, building, financing, operating and managing their own projects.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14838 on 9 March 2023. 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…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve documentation and reporting on the use of private finance in infrastructure projects.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government annually update and publish information relating to Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) contracts which is available from the following link www.gov.scot/npd/pfi . In addition, the Scottish Futures Tr…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it has taken to encourage and support local authorities to systematically assess the implications of using private finance ahead of any new infrastructure projects.

Answer · John Swinney: Local authorities determine their own programmes for capital investment and are required by legislation to comply with The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, which was developed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountan…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to ensure that any national infrastructure company is equipped to be able to provide advice on how local authorities can plan for wellbeing and net zero in their infrastructure investments.

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review whether the Scottish Futures Trust is ideally placed and qualified to manage the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Learning Estate Investment Programme’s (LEIP) outcomes Governance Board, which is co-chaired by Scottish Government and COSLA, scrutinises all aspects of the LEIP on an ongoing basis. The LEIP has undergone a Gateway Review Strategic Assessment, the rec…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to ensure that the Scottish National Investment Bank invests in public infrastructure as a means of advancing broader societal goals and leading the transition to net zero.

Answer · John Swinney: As the first mission orientated investment bank in the UK, the Scottish National Investment Bank was established to respond to the need for long term ‘patient’ capital investment in Scotland. This means support for innovation and the creation of new markets w…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the stakeholders that have been consulted in relation to any creation of a new national infrastructure company.

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide the Scottish National Investment Bank with a dispensation to lend to the public sector and issue bonds.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish National Investment Bank’s investment portfolio is funded directly by the Scottish Government through the use of Financial Transactions. Financial Transactions (FTs) are loans from HMT with interest and repayable over an agreed period. They must …

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish National Investment Bank will have a collaborative role in the development of any national infrastructure company.

Answer · John Swinney: Although guided by its missions, which are set by Scottish Ministers, and the legislation within the Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020, the Bank operates independently. So, any potential future investment roles or opportunities would be a matter for …

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with local authorities about reporting on current public private partnership (PPP) commitments as part of annual budget setting.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government annually update and publish information relating to Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) contracts and their associated unitary charge payments. This information is collated from the relevant procuring pub…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what alternatives it has explored to the mutual investment model (MIM) for the purpose of infrastructure investment in Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (most recently published in 2021) ( The Scottish Government's Medium Term Financial Strategy - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) ) sets out the range of funding available to the Scottish Government to invest in infrastructure…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to closely and transparently collaborate with local authorities to ensure that the new schools investment funding model is properly managed.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Learning Estate Investment Programme’s (LEIP) outcomes-based funding model was designed by Scottish Government, Local Government and Scottish Futures Trust (SFT). The funding model was established to support the implementation of the Learning Estate Strat…

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing with Social Security Scotland to develop contingency measures for the redeployment of any staff who face redundancy following the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) closure of the Radnor House site in Clydebank.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) staffing matters are the responsibility of the DWP. It would be inappropriate for the Scottish Government or Social Security Scotland to comment on these or be considering any contingency measures without a formal a…

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the UK Government regarding the decision taken by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to close Radnor House site in Clydebank.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Department for Work and Pensions have not contacted the Scottish Government in relation to the decision they have taken to close their Radnor House site in Clydebank.

31 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking through its Covid Recovery Strategy to support students.

23 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in response to reports that the number of warrants for entry that have been granted has trebled since 2020.

Answer · Elena Whitham: Whether or not to grant a warrant for entry is a judicial decision. Legislation places a duty on all government ministers; law officers; and members of the parliaments to uphold judicial independence, barring them from trying to exert influence over judicial…

23 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the recording and accuracy of data within the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in relation to warrants for entry.

Answer · Keith Brown: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days

23 Jan 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it steps it is taking to ensure teachers are equipped to discuss and address the issue of extremist online misogyny with pupils.

18 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which fire stations are currently recorded as (a) lacking sufficient showering or toilet facilities, (b) lacking basic bathroom facilities, (c) lacking shower facilities, (d) lacking drying facilities, (e) lacking a water supply, (f) being in “poor or bad condition” and (g) held up at le…

Answer · Elena Whitham: The facilities in place at the 357 fire stations in Scotland are an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. There are 14 stations that have been identified with defective roofing material requiring remedial action that are located in Crew…

17 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its contingency plans for the relocation of prisoners housed at HMP and YOI Cornton Vale in the interim period between the prison’s closure and HMP and YOI Stirling’s opening.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: It is anticipated that the majority of the women living at Cornton Vale will transfer to HMP & YOI Polmont during the interim period w…

17 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which sites prisoners at HMP and YOI Cornton Vale are to be relocated to in the interim before HMP and YOI Stirling is opened.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: Cornton Vale currently holds two distinctly separate population groups. Peebles House accommodates women who have achieved a Low Super…

17 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners from HMP and YOI Cornton Vale have already been relocated ahead of its closure, and to which establishments they have been relocated.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: As of Friday 20 January, 15 women had transferred from Peebles House in Cornton Vale to either HMP & YOI Polmont, The Lilias Centre or…

17 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of capacity at prison facilities for the purpose of relocating HMP and YOI Cornton Vale prisoners during the interim period between the prison’s closure and HMP and YOI Stirling’s opening.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS continually monitor both the prison population and the number of available spaces for all those in our care. The current women’s e…

10 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its Covid Recovery Strategy in light of rising COVID-19 infection rates.

22 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent inquiry into the 2005 conviction of Luke Mitchell for the murder of Jodi Jones in 2003 is being considered by the Lord Advocate.

Answer · Keith Brown: Where a person has been convicted of any offence, including murder, they can appeal against the decision of the independent court. Even where the normal appeals route is exhausted, if the person considers they have suffered a miscarriage of justice, they can …

21 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to "collate new or better use existing data sources" in relation to secondary breast cancer.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The National Cancer Quality Steering group have overseen the development of a newly proposed QPI on 'Recurrence Following Breast Cancer Treatment' in 2022. This proposal contains 3 parts - i) local recurrence (or new cancer) following conservation surgery; ii…

20 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a national audit of secondary breast cancer, in light of NHS England's reported national metastatic breast cancer audit, announced in May 2021.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13150 on 17 January 2023. 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-committ…