Parliamentary questions
Elaine Smith
1,153 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, what discussions it had prior to reaching this position with representatives of students and staff at the University of Edinburgh regarding their access to the servic…
Answer · Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered to enter d…
29 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason ten-pin bowling centres are excluded from opening in Level 2 of the COVID-19 restrictions, in light of other leisure facilities such as cinemas, bingo halls and amusements centres being able to.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential be…
27 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason outdoor bowling clubs that have had to close due to being classified as licensed premises are ineligible for a Business Closure Grant whereas indoor bowling clubs are.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I confirmed on 30 October that bowling and other sports clubhouses with licenses are eligible for hardship grants (outside the central belt) and closure grants (inside the central belt).
27 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it carried out on the contribution of venues such as bingo halls in serving as community hubs that can help alleviate social isolation, particularly among older people, when determining the levels of the COVID-19 restrictions framework.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32841 on 3 November 2020. 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…
27 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the evidence it considered to reach its decision to close bingo clubs at level 2 of its COVID-19 restrictions framework.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Bingo Halls are now able to open at Level 2 and I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32841 on 3 November 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at …
27 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason bingo clubs will now be closed at level 2 of the new framework, including those operating outside of the Central Belt in areas with no reported COVID-19 outbreaks at the equivalent of this level of restrictions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Bingo Halls are now able to open at Level 2 and I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32841 on 3 November 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at …
27 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of bingo club members being considered to be typically women aged over 50, many of whom see their membership as a social lifeline, what its position is on having a more specific approach to these venues to keep them open at level 2 of its COVID-19 restrictions framework, partic…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We recognise the important role that Bingo Halls play in communities and in the wellbeing and mental health of many people across the country. After feedback on the Strategic Framework published on 23 October, the revised Framework issued on 29 October permit…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact of social-isolation on long-term mental health, what consideration it has given to the rights of people who live alone regarding the rules on visiting other households.
Answer · Michael Russell: We know that social isolation and loneliness is a public health issue and there are well documented negative impacts on mental health, that is why the Scottish Government has considered the impact of socialising rules on those who live alone. The Health Prot…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government to what extent local authorities will be (a) involved in decision-making and (b) consulted on the local impact of moving to higher tiers of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: As we have stated in our Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework (https://www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-scotlands-strategic-framework/ ), we engage with our local authority partners prior to making decisions about which levels to apply an…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will review the viability and effectiveness of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework measures, and whether this will include an analysis of the impact of moving into the higher tiers on people, in particular on older people and people who are shielding from the virus.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 implemented the new Strategic Framework and came into effect on 2 November 2020. The regulations enabled a levels based approach to applying prote…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will consult local authorities to assess the economic impact of moving between tiers of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We have made a commitment to engage directly with Local Authorities in advance of any change to their level, including at a national level through COSLA and SOLACE. Such discussions will include assessments against the Four Harms, including the socio economic…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can sustain the same level of support to businesses offered by the UK Government in England and, if not, whether it will take this into consideration before deciding to move areas into the highest tier of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Chancellor has written a blank cheque for business support in England, but is refusing to do the same for Scotland. We are being kept in the dark on future funding and denied the ability to borrow if we need to. It is utterly wrong for Scottish business t…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors people who have been asked to quarantine from COVID-19, and what information it has regarding how many people have not been following quarantine rules on returning to the country.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: All travellers arriving in Scotland require to complete the passenger locator form. Passengers arriving from a country which is non-exempt from quarantine rules are required to quarantine for a period of 14 days. Passenger arrivals into Scotland are provided…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the geographical areas for the application of each tier of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework will be based on full local authority areas or smaller areas.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32783 on 9 November 2020. 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…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its commitment to working alongside local authority partners will include consultation before moving between tiers of the COVID-19 Strategic Framework, and taking account of the specific needs of different council areas.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32824 on 9 November 2020. 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…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use COVID-19 testing to reduce the impact of quarantining on people with no symptoms, and whether this will be extended to frontline workers.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Our priorities for testing are guided by scientific, clinical and public health advice from our expert advisory structures. In October we published the Clinical Review of our testing strategy which set out clear clinical advice on the priorities to be follow…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Abellio ScotRail Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) includes funding for driver training that was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether funding for driver training will be made available when the EMA expires in January 2021.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The costs for Abellio ScotRail’s driver training programme are included in the general Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) budget. Discussions are currently underway with Abellio ScotRail about a longer term contractual arrangement after January 2021 which in…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the no compulsory redundancy agreement in the Abellio ScotRail franchise will be maintained when the Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) expires in January 2021.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scotrail Franchise contains a no compulsory redundancy clause which was not amended by either the original EMA or the EMA2 that commenced in October 2020. Discussions are currently underway with Abellio ScotRail about a longer term contractual arrangemen…
26 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23841 by Paul Wheelhouse on 22 July 2019, what the final cost was of the procurement exercise for its contract with Serco NorthLink Ferries for Northern Isles Ferry Services that started on 30 June 2020.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The final cost to Transport Scotland of undertaking the procurement process for the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract was approximately £834,000.
15 Oct 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has provided guidance to local authorities indicating whether children entitled to free school meals should be provided with access to the equivalent of those meals during term time in the event they are unable to attend school through self-isolation as a result of COVID-19.
Answer · John Swinney: Under the provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, education authorities are required to provide a free school lunch to any to any child or young person who is eligible for them, even if they are absent from school. The Act states that a pupil is desi…
17 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what opportunities it has made available for young people seeking to start a career in the food and drink sector, and how many young people have taken up these opportunities over the last 12 months.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Through partner agencies, particularly Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Government has a range of opportunities available for young people in food and drink. A Food and Drink Technologies Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) framework was introduced in 20…
16 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to intervene in rail infrastructure matters to help prevent redundancies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Through our commitment to a long term rolling programme to decarbonise Scotland’s Railway and programme of enhancement projects, we know that this will create more skilled and sustainable jobs in Scotland, providing a significant additional contribution to ou…
16 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the reason that Network Rail Scotland reportedly has over 200 vacant maintenance posts.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Network Rail is classified as a reserved UK Government body, accountable to UK Ministers and as such the Scottish Government does not hold this information.
16 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that financial considerations have taken precedent over the safety of passengers and staff in respect to the management of rail infrastructure.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The funding that Network Rail requires for the operating, maintaining and renewing Scotland’s rail infrastructure, including safety, is Determined by the Office of Rail and Road every 5 years through its Periodic Review process. The Determination made by the…
16 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that allowing railway infrastructure contracting companies, including Babcock Rail, SPL Powerlines, AMCO and Story Plant, to work on the network risks making existing skilled infrastructure workers, including those who are working on contracts gained thro…
Answer · Michael Matheson: Network Rail is classified as a reserved UK Government body, accountable to UK Ministers, and is responsible for managing the maintenance and renewal of its infrastructure and any enhancements works through its supply chain. The Scottish Government encourage…
16 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether rail infrastructure employment (a) vacancies and (b) redundancies are a contributory factor to any failures of the infrastructure.
Answer · Michael Matheson: It is the Office of Rail and Road’s responsibility to ensure that Network Rail complies with its regulatory licence requirements, including how it discharges its safety duties.
4 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance can be given to small businesses that rent out accommodation but whose income has stopped due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Answer · Kate Forbes: From the outset of this pandemic the Scottish Government has endeavoured to provide support across all sectors of our economy, and to ensure that it is distributed in the most equitable way possible whilst addressing some of the specific sectoral and geograph…
4 Sep 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting business owners whose business practice does not meet the criteria set for (a) government and (b) local authority business support.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government understands the importance of supporting businesses at this difficult time. A range of business support products and services is in place to provide advice, guidance and other assistance to those businesses which may not have qualified…
28 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place to ensure that the children of people with no recourse to public funds are not left without adequate food.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We have a responsibility to support and safeguard children and their families, no matter their asylum or immigration status, and ensure they get the right help at the right time. This should be done in line with GIRFEC principles. ‘No Recourse to Public Fund…
26 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its welfare policies address poverty and malnutrition in older people.