Parliamentary questions
Elaine Smith
1,153 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) CBI Scotland, (b) the Institute of Directors Scotland, (c) Scottish Chambers of Commerce, (d) the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and (e) other business organisations to raise awareness of the importance of facilitating time off for work…
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Scottish Government Ministers and senior officials have very regular discussions with the business community including CBI Scotland, IoD Scotland, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network and the Federation of Small Business, Scotland. The Scottish Governme…
11 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of clinicians recommending that treatment renewal should take place within six weeks, what its response is to reports that some clinics have doubled their waiting times for lidocaine infusions to 12 weeks since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34442 on 18 January 2021. 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…
8 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will recompense chronic pain patients who are reportedly having to pay for private pain relief in England because some clinics have been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and, if so, by what date it will do so.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34442 on 18 January 2021. 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…
8 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will recompense chronic pain patients who are reportedly having to pay for private pain relief in England because some clinics have doubled their waiting times for lidocaine infusions to 12 weeks since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and, if so, by what date it will do …
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I appreciate how difficult postponement of treatment has been for people with chronic pain. We remain committed to ensuring that health boards resume a full range of specialist pain services as quickly as it is safe to do so. In September 2020 we published th…
6 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with the Bishops' Conference of Scotland regarding the closure of places of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34370 on 9 February 2021. 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…
5 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether places of worship will be a priority for reopening at the end of the current COVID-19 lockdown period.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We appreciate how difficult the latest restrictions are for faith and belief communities, coming as they do after what has already been a challenging eleven months for everyone. Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic has always been guided by the principles s…
5 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its position on places of worship under the current COVID-19 situation differs from that of the UK Government, and what its response is to reported concerns that, as a result of this, people in Carlisle can attend communal worship but people in Gretna cannot.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34370 on 9 February 2021. 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…
5 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of what benefit communal worship during the COVID-19 pandemic can offer to older and isolated people, and what impact the closure of places of worship under the most recent restrictions will have on people from these groups who had adopted safe and social…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34370 on 9 February 2021. 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…
5 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the evidence it has received regarding COVID-19 transmission rates in places of worship, and for what reason it considers this transmission rate to be high enough for these venues to be closed under the current restrictions.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34370 on 9 February 2021. 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…
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken if patients have concerns regarding GP surgeries planning to consolidate and centralise their services.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Most GP practices in Scotland are run by independent contractors who are responsible for providing services to the patients on their list. While it is common practice for patients to be consulted before a branch surgery is shut, it is for GP practices to deci…
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS boards take to assist patients who rely on public transport to access to GP surgeries.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Patients who require to be seen by a GP but may have difficulty accessing the practice, for example because of limitations of public transport options, may be managed through a telephone, virtual or home visit as is deemed appropriate. NHS Boards and GP pract…
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is given to the location and travel requirements of patients when GP (a) contracts are awarded and (b) services are withdrawn.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 sets out the legislative framework for integrating health and social care. It requires Integration Authorities to engage and consult with a range of stakeholders, and to work with local communities and pro…
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Nutritional Standards for School Meals will be extended to cover non-school settings.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34310 on 13 January 2021. 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/parliamentary…
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how any stigmatisation associated with eligibility for free school meals is being addressed by specifying the criteria around vulnerable children.
Answer · John Swinney: The specification of provision of free school meals within Coronavirus (COVID-19): school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 is part of making provision for vulnerable pupils, this is intended to ensure that this provision is prioritised in line with …
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected uptake among (a) vulnerable children and (b) the children of key workers will be in each local authority area of the (i) childcare and (ii) school provisions it will be introducing following the imposition of the tighter COVID-19 restrictions on 26 December 2020.
Answer · Maree Todd: Until 1 February 2021, early learning and childcare (‘ELC’) settings and schools will be able to open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children only. Those who work directly with children and young people at local authority level are best placed to …
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of vulnerable children took up the provision of (a) childcare, (b) nursery and (c) school places in the initial COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020.
Answer · John Swinney: Figures on children and young people attending settings in the initial March 2020 lockdown can be found here: Covid19ELCandHubs - SG Education Analytical Services: Learning Analysis | Tableau Public
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what definition of vulnerable children is used when calculating provision for (a) free school meals and (b) replacement meals when children are isolating or shielded, and how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils are eligible for these services, broken down by local authority …
Answer · John Swinney: The provision of free school meals and alternatives is made to those who are entitled to, or who become eligible for free school meals in line with the national eligibility criteria for the provision of free school meals. This is available from School meals …
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what nutritional standards apply to the meals served in student halls of residences.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We have no direct role in the provision of university residential accommodation nor in the catering provision therein. In October last year the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to accommodation providers welcoming Universitie…
23 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what nutritional standards apply to the meals provided to students who are isolating, and how this is monitored.
Answer · John Swinney: The nutritional standards for food provided at school lunches and breakfast clubs, after school clubs, tuckshops, vending machines are determined by The Nutritional Requirements for food and drink in schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008. Any school lunches pro…
17 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any cancellation or postponement of Scottish rail renewals schemes from April 2021 onwards will have any impact on jobs and staffing across Network Rail Scotland, contractors, and the wider supply chain.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Network Rail is responsible for maintaining and renewing the rail network in Scotland with funding provided by the Scottish Government to meet the independent regulatory determination of the Office of Rail and Road. The Scottish Government has provided unpre…
17 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any Scottish rail renewals schemes have been cancelled or postponed from April 2021 onwards, and if so, (a) how many such schemes have been cancelled and (b) where any such schemes are located.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. 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…
17 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it will save by any postponement or cancellation of Scottish rail renewals schemes from April 2021.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. 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…
17 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what conversations Transport Scotland have had with Network Rail Scotland regarding any cancellation or postponement of Scottish rail renewals schemes from April 2021 onwards.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. 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…
17 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any cancellation or postponement of Scottish rail renewals schemes from April 2021 onwards will have any impact in the delivery of the rail projects outlined in Transport Scotland’s Control Period 6 plans.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. 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…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it projects the increase in (a) staff numbers and (b) cost would be for (i) catering, (ii) janitorial and (iii) learning support staff in order to open and staff all primary schools to allow for the provision of breakfast clubs for all pupils.
Answer · John Swinney: Breakfast clubs in Scotland are currently delivered by a wide variety of providers, including by local authorities in schools, but also by private and third sector organisations and in a range of community settings. In developing and implementing the universa…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what reductions in the provision of school transport have been made by each local authority as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government takes seriously the need to ensure there are effective school transport arrangements in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Scottish Ministers issued guidance to local authorities to support the reopening of schools in August. A £50 mi…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the provision of free school meals in primary schools has been impacted by COVID-19 regulations, and whether there has been a reduction in uptake or availability.
Answer · John Swinney: Our most recent data on uptake of free school meals is contained within the Schools Healthy Living Survey Statistics Report, which was published on 8 September 2020. This survey was carried in February 2020 therefore the data contained within this report pre-…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of state primary schools in each local authority area have sufficient kitchen provision on site to accommodate cooking and preparing meals for every pupil.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish government does not hold this information. Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage their school estate. In addition, local authorities have a statutory duty to promote the availa…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of primary schools in each local authority area have suitable indoor dining space to seat all pupils to provide school lunches for all pupils.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish government does not hold this information. Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage their school estate. In addition, local authorities have a statutory duty to promote the availa…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contribution it considers the extension of the provision of free school meals in primary schools would make to tackling the problems faced by low-income households.
Answer · John Swinney: No child should be going hungry and tackling poverty and inequality is a key priority for this government. The policy of extending the universal provision of free school meals, to cover all primary school children, would not provide families with new income a…