Elaine Smith

9 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been sent to Wishaw and Hairmyres hospitals from Monklands District General Hospital since the process to remove orthopaedic and trauma services commenced on 1 November 2016.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire confirm that for the month of November (no validated data is available as yet for December) 42 patients have been sent to Wishaw and Hairmyres Hospitals as a result of the interim measures. The Health Board had predicted that an average of 117…

9 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs in the Central Scotland parliamentary region declared that they are no longer taking on new patients since the beginning of 2016.

Answer · Shona Robison: The following number of practices by constituency in the Central Scotland parliamentary region have closed their patient lists under the GMS contract since the beginning of 2016. Patient lists are closed as an interim measure to allow Boards to working closel…

9 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many ambulances, on arrival at Monklands District General Hospital, since the process to remove orthopaedic and trauma services commenced on 1 November 2016, were sent to another hospital.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire advise that for the month of November (no validated data available for December as yet) there were no such diverts.

9 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it taking to establish a public body to be a potential operator of last resort for the ScotRail Franchise, and by what date such a body could be in place.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has put in place measures to ensure we are fulfilling our Railways Act obligation of securing on-going rail functions, as the operator of last resort, should a franchise terminate early, for any reason, and not be replaced. It is wort…

9 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances Network Rail would be able to bid to take over the ScotRail franchise and whether it has discussed this matter with Network Rail.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Network Rail is required to comply with a number of existing statutory, contractual and regulatory obligations, both domestically and in terms of requirements from European legislation. The Scotland Act 2016 removes the restriction on public sector operators …

9 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Abellio (a) is or (b) has been in breach of the ScotRail franchise agreement and, if so, whether it will publish details of this.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The circumstances which would give rise to consideration of Breach can be found in Schedule 7.1 of the Franchise Agreement There is and has been no Breach of the franchise by Abellio ScotRail. http://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-regi…

9 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on the ScotRail franchise would be of the implementation of the EU fourth railway package if the UK (a) remained in and (b) left the European Economic Area post-Brexit.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The final process for agreeing and implementing the EU Fourth Railway Package has not yet been concluded. Understanding the implications of EU exit is a work in progress, and we currently continue to have all of the rights and obligations that membership brin…

9 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the provisions in the ScotRail franchise that would allow it to terminate the agreement prior to 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to Schedule 10.2 of the ScotRail franchise agreement. http://www.transport.gov.scot/rail/scotrail-franchise/public-register

2 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to recognise CalMac Ferries’ status as the Scotland region winner of the Living Wage Champion Awards.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I welcome the success of CalMac Ferries Ltd in becoming the Scottish Living Wage Champion for 2016. CalMac is an operating subsidiary of David MacBrayne Ltd, a company wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. Since 2011, the requirement for employers to pay th…

2 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the payment of the living wage in the Scottish ferries sector.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that those employed in the Scottish ferry sectors are paid the Living Wage. Crew directly employed by David MacBrayne Ltd, Serco NorthLink Ferries Ltd and Marine Scotland are paid above the National Minimum Wa…

2 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding nationality-based pay discrimination against seafarers working in the shipping industry in Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown: In May 2014 Scottish Ministers wrote to the relevant UK Government Minister to clarify the position on the National Minimum Wage with regard to seafarers. The response from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport indicated that the UK has to …

2 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that its ferry procurement policy includes an obligation to charter vessels from ship owners that recognise (a) officer and (b) ratings unions in Scotland for collective bargaining purposes.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Ministers are currently considering all available options to promote fair work practices, including collective bargaining and payment of the National Minimum Wage and, where possible, the Scottish Living Wage in their contracts.

2 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of compliance with the Fair Work Convention of its vessel procurement policies for the (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry service contracts.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04436 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

1 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the number of seafarers who are resident in Scotland that are employed on ferry services between Cairnryan and (a) Belfast and (b) Larne.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government regarding the number of seafarers who are resident in Scotland and employed on ferry services between Cairnryan and (a) Belfast and (b) Larne. These services are operated by Stena and …

1 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the number of seafarers who are resident in Scotland that are employed on ferry services between (a) Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland Islands and (b) Scrabster and Stromness.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In May 2014 the then Transport Minister in the Scottish Government, Keith Brown MSP, wrote to the UK Government’s Shipping Minister in relation to the application of the National Minimum Wage to seafarers employed in provision of lifeline ferry services to Sc…

1 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rates of pay for seafarers working on all ferry services between (a) Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland Islands and (b) Scrabster and Stromness.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04393 on 14 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

1 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rates of pay for seafarers who are EU nationals on ferry services between Cairnryan and (a) Belfast and (b) Larne.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Ministers wrote to UK Ministers on 4 November 2016, asking the UK Government to investigate the applicability of National Minimum Wage legislation in the maritime sector, specifically regarding seafarers working exclusively in UK waters. This would i…

28 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether police officers should be allowed to vote for the chair of the Scottish Police Federation.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The process for electing the chair of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) is a matter for that organisation. The chair, and all other members of the joint central committee, are elected in accordance with the internal rules of the SPF.

28 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the findings of the independent review of the Police Federation in England and Wales that was chaired by Sir David Normington, and whether it will commission a similar review of the Scottish Police Federation.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Police Federation Independent Review, chaired by Sir David Normington, was commissioned by the Police Federation of England and Wales and it would therefore be for the Scottish Police Federation to consider whether a similar review was appropriate for the…

26 Oct 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce youth unemployment.

24 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the implications for (a) seafarer training, (b) ferry services and (c) fishing vessels in Scotland of proposed changes to the fees charged for regulatory compliance in these areas.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Andrew Jones MP, wrote to the Scottish Government on 26 November 2015 detailing a proposal to undertake a consultation on increasing the fees associated with Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations charged by the Marit…

18 Oct 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ring-fence funding for supported accommodation in local housing allowance when this is devolved.

3 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the budget for the replacement or refurbishment of Monklands District General Hospital, and how much it estimates the cost will be.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has welcomed the proposal from NHS Lanarkshire to embark on the process of seeking funding for the redevelopment of the hospital. As NHS Lanarkshire develop and progress the scope of the project, the budgetary requirement will become c…

3 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision to move orthopaedic and trauma services from Monklands District General Hospital will be called in for a formal consultation that allows for public questions.

Answer · Shona Robison: Further to the response to S5W-01809 answered on 1 September 2016, the Board's longer term service plans, which will constitute major change, are currently the subject of formal, public consultation running until 1 November and I would encourage all local sta…

3 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by NHS Lanarkshire in raising funds to pay for the new Monklands District General Hospital.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has welcomed the proposal from NHS Lanarkshire to embark on the process of seeking funding for the redevelopment of the hospital. NHS Lanarkshire continue to work on the business case and the Scottish Government look forward to conside…

3 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the location of the new Monklands District General Hospital be announced.

Answer · Shona Robison: Site selection for a new Monklands District General Hospital has not yet been finalised, though we would expect this to form a key part of the development of the Outline Business Case which is due to be submitted to Scottish Government in 2017.

3 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review patient travel provision from the Monklands District General Hospital catchment area to the proposed sites at Wishaw and Hairmyres when orthopaedics and trauma services are moved there.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire has assured the Scottish Government that it continues to work with planning partners including the Scottish Ambulance Service and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to ensure that services, routes and timings reflect the requirements of pat…

3 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the outline business case for a new Monklands District General Hospital.

Answer · Shona Robison: Before NHS Lanarkshire submit an outline business case for a new Monklands District General Hospital, they are required to complete an Initial Agreement and that is what they are working on at this point. When the Initial Agreement has been completed, it will…

28 Sep 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address child homelessness.

16 Sep 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects work to start on constructing the proposed rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central station.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: All aspects of the delivery of the Glasgow Airport Access Project through the Glasgow City Region Deal, including developing the business case, reporting on equality and environmental issues, determination of project costs and programme, are the responsibilit…