Parliamentary questions
Elaine Smith
1,153 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has convened any meetings of the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group, and, if so, when the meetings took place; whether it will publish the agendas and minutes of each, and when any future meetings are due to take place.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group met on the 2 June, 16 June, 7 July and 4 August 2020. The next meeting is planned for 18 August 2020. Meeting minutes and agendas have been published on the Transport Scotland website.
21 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group, and which organisations they represent.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Please find below a list of Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group Members and the Organisations they represent: Alison Irvine, Chair - Director Transport Strategy and Analysis, Transport Scotland Nicola Gill, Association of Transport Co-ordin…
21 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government through which processes members of the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group were appointed.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Those organisations proposed as members of the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group were approached to nominate representation on the Group.
21 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the terms of reference are for the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The terms of reference for the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group have been published on the Transport Scotland website.
21 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that membership of the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group includes trade union representation.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group is one strand of Transport Scotland’s Transport Transition Plan engagement. Ministers and Transport Scotland have engaged extensively with Scottish Trades Union Congress and affiliates since the start of t…
21 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with trade unions regarding its Transport Transition Plan.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills holds weekly calls with Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and Unite and at their 10 July meeting this included discussions on aviation where Transport Scotland attended. The First Minister also met with Unit…
17 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to convening a ministerial summit involving local government, retailers and third sector organisations to develop a longer-term plan for supporting people who are clinically and situationally vulnerable.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government continues to work alongside our UK Government colleagues to engage with retailers on the range of challenges facing consumers as a result of Coronavirus – including adapting to the changes made to in store shopping experiences. Several…
17 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to providing individuals who are situationally vulnerable the same access to priority delivery slots for food boxes as those in the shielded category, and, as part of this process, work to accurately assess the size and nature of this situationally-vulnerable group.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government recognises that many individuals face access barriers to food and essentials due to the impacts of Coronavirus and work is underway to understand the impact of the COVID virus and policy response on people in Scotland. We know that su…
17 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to ensuring that access to food boxes and priority delivery slots for these continue for all clinically and situationally vulnerable people who receive them, for as long as medical advice or practical restrictions are in place.
Answer · John Swinney: People at the highest clinical risk of severe illness from COVID19 were advised at the start of the pandemic that they should stay at home at all times, or ‘shield’. The Chief Medical Officers of the UK’s four nations agreed at the outset the conditions which…
17 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will work with local government to identify what specific ongoing support, for example access to priority delivery slots for food boxes, is needed by people who are self-isolating, and how this can be provided.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: COSLA and SOLACE sit on the Test and Protect Steering Group as the delivery leads for isolation support. This group, which meets weekly, provides leadership and oversight over the delivery of the Test and Protect strategy. For those who need it, support to i…
8 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has permitted the opening of smaller pubs and non-essential shops but not larger places of worship, which might be more easily adapted to social distancing measures.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30594 on 27 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/2…
8 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date places of worship can open fully for communal services, for example Mass.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30266 on 13 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/2…
25 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions and (b) other engagements it has had with Abellio ScotRail regarding the potential extension of its emergency measures agreement.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The current Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) for Abellio ScotRail is due to expire on 20 September 2020 and Transport Scotland is currently considering options beyond that date. Transport Scotland holds ongoing discussions and engagement with Abellio ScotRa…
25 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provision it has made for the operator of last resort to take over the Abellio ScotRail franchise should it become unviable.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The current Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) for Abellio ScotRail is due to expire on 20 September 2020 and Transport Scotland is currently considering options beyond that date. The Scottish Government has a statutory duty to ensure the provision of rail s…
25 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that ScotRail is placed onto a further emergency measures agreement, whether the budget for that agreement would include sufficient provision to ensure that the April 2020 pay award for ScotRail staff can be negotiated and agreed.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In the continued absence of clarity from the UK Government concerning additional funding through the Barnett Formula for the Scottish Government to cope with financial pressures arising from Covid, the budgetary implications for ScotRail beyond 20 September a…
25 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the total cost in public funding to date of the Abellio ScotRail emergency measures agreement.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland has estimated an additional cost of around £250 million for both the ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper franchises, over the course of the six month Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs).
25 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the terms of Abellio ScotRail’s emergency measures agreement prevent the April 2020 pay award being negotiated and agreed for ScotRail staff.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Through the Emergency Working Principles Agreement (EWPA) agreed between GB Rail Unions and the Rail Delivery Group safeguards have been put in place to protect terms and conditions, this includes maintaining the Scottish Government policy of no compulsory re…
25 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend ScotRail’s emergency measures agreement after the current agreement expires in September 2020 and, if so, (a) for how long and (b) how much in public funding will it cost.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The current Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) for Abellio ScotRail is due to expire on 20 September 2020 and Transport Scotland is currently considering options beyond that date.
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to enable Scottish food suppliers to have more opportunities to promote healthy, local produce.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the delay to its proposed bill on restricting junk food promotions, and reports that obesity is linked with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients, what immediate action it will take to tackle Scotland's reported obesity crisis.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the delay to its proposed bill on restricting junk food promotions, and reports that obesity is linked with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients, what progress it is making on other commitments in its diet and healthy weight action plan, and when it will publish its progress…
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Tackling poor diet and obesity remains a priority for us, and we want everyone, no matter where they live, to eat well and be a healthy weight. Our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery plan sets out ambitious and wide-ranging action to address this challenge. Th…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the reported recent increase in demand for local, healthy food options can be sustained as lockdown restrictions are lifted, in order to support and promote healthier eating for all.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to help low-income families access healthy, nutritious, local produce.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We have now committed over £110 million directly to support people struggling to access food during the pandemic. In addition to our original £70m Food Fund announced in March, we have now committed to supporting local authorities with a further £27.6 millio…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the delay to its proposed bill on restricting junk food promotions, what steps it can take to ensure that the reopening of the eating out of home sector supports healthy diets and enables healthier choices.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures it will take to narrow the obesity inequality gap among children, in light of its decision to delay its proposed bill on restricting the promotion of junk food.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures, including through procurement, it is considering to ensure that local produce from Scottish suppliers is included in the support for shielding households.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government provides free grocery boxes to people who have been asked to shield and who do not have other means of getting access to groceries. The boxes are supplied and delivered by two wholesalers and we encourage them to include Scottish produ…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to lower childhood obesity, in light of its decision to delay its proposed bill on restricting junk food promotions.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
12 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government within what timescale it anticipates introducing measures to restrict the promotion of junk food in order to tackle Scotland's reported obesity crisis.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29890 on 9 July 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
7 May 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what reassurance it can give Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland that it is committed to ensuring that communal worship and religious activities can be resumed as promptly as possible.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-28954 on 27 May 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/parliamentarybusiness/28…
7 May 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in place for allowing Roman Catholic churches to re-open to the public, respecting social-distancing guidance.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Scotland’s faith communities, including our Catholic Communities, and recognise the difficulty in being unable to come together or attend places of worship during this challenging time. However, we know faith com…