Annabelle Ewing

20 May 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how economic impact can be considered more fully in the planning system.

17 May 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish information on the economic opportunities of independence.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am delighted to announce that the paper Scotland’s Economy: the case for independence will be published on 21 May 2013. A copy will be lodged with SPICe under bib number 54973. The paper highlights the strengths of Scotland’s economy across a range of key …

2 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what PFI projects there are in Fife and what the (a) estimated capital value and (b) annual revenue cost is and what percentage of Fife Council spend the revenue cost represents.

Answer · John Swinney: The information relating to (a) and (b) is available from the Scottish Government website under ‘PPP/PFI Projects (operational) by way of the following link: www.scotland.gov.uk. Information relating to Local Government revenue expenditure is also available …

2 May 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the implications for Scotland are of the Queen’s Speech.

11 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the affordability of housing benefit in an independent Scotland.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government’s view is that housing benefit would be affordable in an independent Scotland and would be more affordable than the housing benefit expenditure for Great Britain. Over the decade from 2001-02 to 2011-12, in inflation-adjusted terms, th…

10 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the level of housing benefit expenditure for which it is responsible has been in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 2002-03, and what information it has on how this compares with similar housing benefit expenditure in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) London for the same pe…

13 Mar 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent contact it has had with social landlords about the impact of the so-called bedroom tax.

5 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has about what action each local authority is taking to raise awareness of the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Local authorities are engaged in a range of actions to prepare for the reforms, such as establishing arrangements for the Scottish Welfare Fund in their area and work to introduce the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Several local authorities are also involved i…

21 Jan 2013 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update following the recent winter weather conditions.

17 Dec 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on construction of the Forth Replacement Crossing.

26 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what response it has received from the UK Government to its recent call for an immediate targeted boost to capital investment.

5 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research is being conducted on the health benefits of vitamin D.

1 Nov 2012 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what progress is being made on the Parliament’s zero waste policy.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The SPCB is making excellent progress towards its zero waste policy. During 2011/12 an estimated 50 tonnes of waste was sent to landfill - a reduction of 4 tonnes on the previous year. This represents a reduction in landfill waste of 67% compared to 2005-2006…

1 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the responses to the consultation on the Rights of Children and Young People Bill.

1 Oct 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the benefits will be of Scotland staging the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014.

24 Sep 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the discharge by local authorities of their obligations under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

17 Sep 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the Royal College of Nursing.

Answer · Alex Neil: My predecessor, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, met RCN representatives on 3 November 2011. Since then, Scottish Government officials have met regularly with RCN representatives to discuss a range of topical issues, most rece…

16 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action (a) businesses and (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency takes to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: It is the responsibility of businesses themselves to ensure that they comply with applicable environmental regulations, and the vast majority of businesses in Scotland do so. Wherever possible, SEPA seeks to work with regulated businesses to help them comply …

13 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with developing a register of empty properties.

10 Sep 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what undertakings it has received from the UK Government to meet any increased demand on the Scottish civil legal aid budget as a result of UK welfare reform.

7 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make representations to the UK Government regarding updating British Standards BS 8300 on wheelchair size.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has no plans to make representations to the UK Government regarding the updating of British Standard 8300 on wheelchair size. The British Standards Institute Committee is monitoring developments in wheelchair design. This will assist …

7 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent reviews it has carried out of the accessibility of NHS premises for wheelchair users.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There have been no recent reviews carried out of the accessibility of NHS premises for wheelchair users as compliance with statute is a normal part of NHS board business.

7 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether electronic note-takers are available at public conferences that it organises.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government actively promotes and encourages inclusive communication, including communication support at public conferences and events, to ensure that disabled people have the same freedom, choice, dignity and control as other citizens. The Scott…

7 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent action it has taken to promote disability awareness and equality training in the NHS.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The promotion of disability awareness and equality training is the responsibility of individual NHS boards. Scottish Government is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and the Equal Opportunity Partnership Information Network (PIN) policy is current…

15 Jun 2012 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide benches in the garden area.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The SPCB plans to install external furniture on the paved area in the members’ garden. However, in light of discussions on having a members’ coffee lounge downstairs rather than upstairs and information that has been imparted in that respect, the furniture wi…

21 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to meet the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Minister for Public Health last met with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on 2 November 2011. Officials in the Clinical Priorities Team of the Scottish Government maintain regular contact and good relations with the trust. We welcome any opportunity to work w…

9 May 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with veterans associations and what issues were discussed.

9 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to keep under review the implementation of the Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME-CFS.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME-CFS, for use by General Practitioners has been developed as part of the process of ensuring that people living with ME-CFS get better and more consistent standards of care, including quicker and more reliable diagnos…

11 Apr 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on expanding the involvement of colleges in the renewables sector.

23 Mar 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult on simplifying the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes. When introducing the CRC in the Scottish Parliament in February 2010, I said we’d keep it under review and amend if necessary. We have engaged with stakeholders and listened to their concerns. I am pleased to report that in partnership with the UK Govern…