Elaine Smith

20 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeship places at colleges are available for people seeking a career in the maritime industry and what the (a) duration and (b) take-up rate is for each course.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has committed to offer 25,000 new modern apprenticeships starts in each year of the current Parliament. In 2011-12 and again in 2012-13 we have in fact surpassed this ambitious target. In Scotland, all apprentices must be employed, li…

20 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) training, (b) apprenticeship and (c) employment opportunities were available to seafarers in the most recent year for which information is available.

Answer · Angela Constance: Seafarers can access a range of training opportunities delivered by our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland, which committed to deliver a minimum of 46,500 training places in 2012-13. Through the Energy Skills Challenge Fund, Orkney College del…

20 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills regarding the maritime skills base.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have not had any recent discussions with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) regarding the maritime skills base. However, the Scottish Government enjoys strong relationships with the UKCES and seeks to influence development of Scottish qual…

20 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it helps promote the work of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ employer ownership of skills fund and how often it meets the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to discuss the work of the commission.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Employer Ownership of Skills is a competitive fund open to employers to invest in their current and future workforce in England only. The Scottish Government has not been involved in its promotion. The Minister for Youth Employment and representatives fro…

11 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the role is of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR); how it is funded, and which minister it is accountable to.

Answer · John Swinney: The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is the independent regulator and registrar of Scottish Charities. The role of OSCR is to: Determine whether bodies are charities Keep a public register of charities Encourage, facilitate and monitor com…

30 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate the cause of the recent shortage of liothyronine (T3).

Answer · Alex Neil: The Department of Health (DH) has responsibility for UK medicines shortages and act on behalf of all the UK Health Departments in these matters. DH has advised that the company responsible for the manufacture and distribution of liothyronine (T3), Amdipharm …

30 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns expressed, whether it will investigate the price paid by the NHS for liothyronine (T3).

Answer · Alex Neil: The reimbursement arrangements for all drugs prescribed and dispensed by NHS Scotland are kept under constant review. With reference to liothyronine, the reimbursement price is based on that set by the single company manufacturing the product.

30 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to avoid a future shortage of liothyronine (T3).

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy wholesalers and pharmacists in order to minimise the impact of any supply chain problems on both patients and the NHS. In addition, officials are in regular contact with…

30 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent drug shortages, whether it will investigate the reasons for their being only one supplier of liothyronine (T3) in the UK.

Answer · Alex Neil: It is a matter for individual pharmaceutical companies to decide whether they wish to apply for a marketing authorisation to allow them to market a particular product.

30 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the impact of the recent shortage of liothyronine (T3) on people with an underactive thyroid.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Department of Health (DH) has responsibility for UK medicines shortages and acts on behalf of all the UK Health Departments in these matters. DH and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have worked very closely with the company …

23 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what statutory consultation exercises Transport Scotland is required to undertake when awarding (a) new contracts, (b) contract extensions and (c) temporary contracts to incumbent franchisees of rail passenger services.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Ministers are required under the Railways Act 1993 to consult as they consider appropriate on their statement of franchising policy and to consult the Office of Rail Regulation on the persons to receive an invitation to tender for franchise servi…

23 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) regulations and (b) directives Transport Scotland is legally required to comply with when awarding (i) contract extensions and (ii) temporary contracts to incumbent franchisees of rail passenger services.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government must take account of all relevant European and domestic legislation when awarding rail franchise contracts, principally Regulation 1370/2007 (on public transport services by rail and road) and the Railways Act 1993.

13 May 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to assess the health implications of waste incineration.

18 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the charge for school pupils to apply for college and university courses through UCAS last increased and whether it will increase in the future.

Answer · Michael Russell: UCAS is an independent UK Charity and avoids increasing fees whenever possible. The UCAS application fee for between two and five course choices increased from £22 in the 2012 cycle to £23 in current 2013 cycle.

18 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the charge for school pupils to apply for college or university courses through UCAS impacts on poorer students and families.

Answer · Michael Russell: UCAS is a charity, non-profit distributing and as such the modest charge is designed to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the system. School pupils apply through their schools rather than direct to UCAS.

18 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it costs school pupils to apply for college and university courses through UCAS.

Answer · Michael Russell: For the 2013 application cycle, the UCAS application fee is £12 for those applying for only one course or £23 for those applying to between 2 and 5 course choices.

17 Dec 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what value it places on the views of local communities and local authorities in relation to planning decisions.

3 Dec 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can give to North Lanarkshire Council to avoid reductions in jobs, services and amenities.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Despite the UK Government’s cuts to the Scottish Budget, this government has provided all councils including North Lanarkshire with fair finance settlements to provide services and amenities for their communities and will continue to do so in 2013-14. Additi…

23 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give to the 62 people at Comet’s delivery hub in Coatbridge who have lost their jobs and whether it can provide assurances that efforts are being made to secure the jobs at the Comet store in Coatbridge.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government, through Skills Development Scotland, coordinates local response teams under the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative to provide tailored help and support for people facing redundancy. On 2 November 2012, thr…

20 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, given the potential impact on costs and employment to Scotland-based companies supplying the oil and gas sector, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the emergency incident in the North Sea on 22 October 2012 in which a Super Puma helicopter was forced to ditch.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has maintained close links with UK Government since the incident to ensure that the offshore industry contingency plans are robust and that mitigation measures are put in place by industry to minimise impacts and safely maintain operat…

22 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional (a) support and (b) funding it will provide for the (i) promotion and (ii) support of breastfeeding, following findings in the UNICEF report, Preventing disease and saving resources: the potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK that failure to br…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is working with NHS boards, local authorities and the community and voluntary sector to implement Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action, which was published in January 2011. It is a framework for action which…

22 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it could give to breastfeeding mothers, following publication of the UNICEF report, Preventing disease and saving resources: the potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10351 on 1 November 2012. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…

22 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for promoting breastfeeding in the next two financial years, following publication of the UNICEF report, Preventing disease and saving resources: the potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10351 on 1 November 2012. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…

20 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to dentists regarding the use of thyroid collars.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not give specific advice to dentists regarding the use of thyroid collars. Dentists are expected to attend relevant training courses and source advice from the UK Health Protection Agency.

28 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-07974 by Keith Brown on 27 June 2012, what estimate it has made of the level of public subsidy required to (a) maintain the contract with the Royal Bank of Scotland to lease the MV Hrossey, MV Hjaltland and MV Hamnvaoe and (b) charter two new vessels…

Answer · Keith Brown: The costs of leasing and chartering these vessels are covered by confidentiality agreements between their owners and the ferry operators.

28 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-07973 by Keith Brown on 27 June 2012, what the overhaul costs have been for the MV (a) Hrossey, (b) Hjaltland and (c) Hamnvaoe in each year since 2002.

Answer · Keith Brown: The following table sets out the overhaul costs of MV Hrossey, MV Hjaltland and MV Hamnavoe in each year since 2002. Annual Overhaul Refit/Dry Dock costs Hrossey Hjaltland Hamnavoe Total July - June (£k)       2002-03 (Oct-Jun) 47 47 5 99 200…

15 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-07190 by Keith Brown on 24 May 2012, what the annual value of the Northern Isles ferry contract for 2012-18 will be to the successful bidder.

Answer · Keith Brown: Serco Ltd emerged as the successful bidder for the 2012-18 Northern Isles ferry services contract. Their total price for the full period of the contract was £222,845,789, although the undiscounted price on a yearly basis comes to £243,015,553. Annually, this …

15 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-07191 by Keith Brown on 24 May 2012, what the cost has been of maintaining MV (a) Hrossey, (b) Hjaltland and (c) Hamnvaoe in each year since 2002.

Answer · Keith Brown: The following table sets out the maintenance costs of MV Hrossey, MV Hjaltland and MV Hamnavoe since 2002:- Vessel Maintenance Hrossey Hjaltland Hamnavoe Total July - June (£k) 2002-03 (Oct-Jun) 10 11 18 39 2003-04 78 59 78 215 2004-0…

14 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote National Breastfeeding Awareness week.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has worked in partnership with NHS Health Scotland and built on the success of last years “Feedgood Factor” campaign. TV advertisements are being broadcast on all of the terrestrial commercial channels thereby ensuring that the whole o…

11 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) public and (b) private investment there has been in the (i) Northern Isles and (ii) Clyde and Hebridean ferry services in each year since 2000.

Answer · Keith Brown: The following information covers the financial years to 2000-01 to 2010-11. Information for 2011-12 has not yet been finalised. (a) Information on public investment up to financial year 2010-11 is available in the latest (2011) edition of Scottish Transport …