Fiona McLeod

9 Mar 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the draft Bill on lifting the time-bar for survivors of historical child abuse.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The draft Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill is published today, 14 March 2016. It can be viewed here (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/7578/downloads) alongside the consultation analysis and the Scottish Government’s response to the consult…

16 Feb 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the national clinical strategy for Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: The national clinical strategy was published on 17 February 2016. The strategy sets out a clear vision for the development of sustainable health and social care services across Scotland for the next 10-15 years. The strategy has been developed on the basis o…

15 Feb 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Justice Directorate is tackling violence against women.

12 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered extended screening to include younger women ahead of the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Evidence has shown that cervical screening in young women is more likely to pick up normal cell changes than screening in older women. This may result in unnecessary treatment and as such the risks of screening in this age group out-weigh the benefits. In lig…

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27774 by Jamie Hepburn on 21 October 2015, what progress has been made on commitment 1 of its mental health strategy to commission a 10-year on follow-up to the National Mental Health Services Assessment, Towards implementation of the Mental Health …

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: On 18 January 2016, the Mental Health Foundation published its report A Review of Mental Health Services in Scotland: Perspectives and Experiences of Service Users, Carers and Professionals. A copy of the report can be accessed via the Scottish Government we…

2 Feb 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on negotiations with Digital Scotland and its partners regarding the second rollout phase of the superfast broadband programme to include homes built after August 2012.

Answer · John Swinney: We are working with a range of partners to finalise proposals for a second phase of public investment to extend superfast broadband access across Scotland. We expect to launch new procurement activity later in 2016. As a first step, we will conduct an Open M…

27 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints the (a) Accountant in Bankruptcy and (b) Money Advice Trust has received about licensed bankruptcy trustees in the last two years for which information is available.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: During 2014-15 and 2015-16, Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) received a total of 63 complaints about AiB acting as a trustee (including agents acting on behalf of AiB); and 24 complaints about independent trustees. The Scottish Government does not hold the inf…

27 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason a personal pension that merits top-up with pension credit is included as income for the common financial tool in a bankruptcy process.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The common financial tool was introduced to help achieve consistency and transparency in determining the level of contribution that a debtor might pay in respect of Scottish statutory debt solutions. Experience has shown that a comprehensive understanding of…

25 Jan 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason personal independence payments are included for income assessment as part of the common financial tool in a bankruptcy process.

13 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is a commercial advantage for housebuilders to install superfast broadband in their developments.

Answer · John Swinney: Access to superfast broadband is an increasingly important factor for people when deciding where they want to live. Buyers of new homes will rightly expect these premises to be superfast enabled; those that aren’t are likely to be less attractive as a result.…

13 Jan 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has any role in flood prevention.

9 Dec 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether self-directed support payments must be paid into a bank account that is held jointly by the recipient and whoever holds their power of attorney.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: There is no statutory requirement for an individual and their power of attorney to hold a joint bank account for any payments that are given under self-directed support legislation. The Code of Practice For Continuing and Welfare Attorneys (March 2011) state…

7 Dec 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can legislate in relation to private car parks and regulate parking charges issued by private companies.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Privately operated car parks are not subject to the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The suitability of other existing powers to regulate private car parks and parking charges will depend on the scope and de…

1 Dec 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available to planning authorities to ensure that equalities are central to the decision-making process.

29 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether private nurseries that do not have a partnership with a council can attend the Early Years Collaborative.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Yes, we will consider any request to attend the Early Years Collaborative learning session as they arise, however places are limited at each learning session. We will take into account whether an organisation or individual is delivering a relevant service to …

2 Sep 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether accident statistics are held on shared spaces in Scotland.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland publishes national statistics covering road accidents and casualties in Scotland on an annual basis. However, due to the variable nature of design for shared spaces it is not possible to present statistics for these areas.

21 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who the members are and what organisations are represented on the Scottish Independent Living Fund Project board.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Independent Living Fund Project board was set up to ensure the needs of Independent Living Fund (ILF) recipients are represented as users transition to the new Scottish ILF. It will have an important role in shaping a fund for new users in Scotla…

7 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities have a responsibility to (a) house and (b) give financial support to destitute (i) migrants and (ii) asylum seekers.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Tackling and preventing homelessness and destitution is a priority for the Scottish Government and we recognise the particular risk for vulnerable groups. The Scottish Government Equality Unit is providing just under £1 million in the period 2014-15 to severa…

7 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to destitute (a) migrants and (b) asylum seekers.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to tackling poverty in an effort to remove the barriers that stand in the way of individuals realising their full potential. The Scottish Government Equality Unit is providing just under £1 million in the period 2014-15 to…

6 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether benefit appointees will be able to act on behalf of recipients of the Scottish Independent Living Fund or whether power of attorney or guardianship will be required.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has held discussions on guardianship with the Office of the Public Guardian. A decision on the outcome of these discussions will be outlined in due course.

3 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what statutory duties local authorities have regarding how school mergers can impact on pupils' health and safety when travelling to school.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The statutory responsibility for the provision of education in Scotland rests with local authorities, including changes to their school estate such as school closures or mergers and consideration of any impact of the change on pupils’ journeys to school. Loc…

27 Oct 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest figures on manufactured exports in Scotland.

10 Oct 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what statutory duties local authorities have to maintain the buildings of their special needs schools to a safe standard.

Answer · Michael Russell: Section 17 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 places the responsibility for the maintenance of all school buildings with the local authority. Local authorities also have responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure - as far as is …

17 Sep 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in tackling unemployment and increasing employment.

4 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to help disabled people to gain and retain employment.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government places great value on the contribution disabled workers can make to our economy, and is committed to supporting disabled people to enter and sustain employment. While the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has primary responsible …

5 Aug 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what happens to childcare funding if a child is unable to use a place offered by a local authority.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: It is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to secure a funded pre-school place for all eligible children whose parents wish it, using either their own provision or through partner providers. Funding for the early learning and childcare entitleme…

30 Jun 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to dyslexic (a) pupils and (b) students who are sitting exams.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: With regards to pupils with dyslexia, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) operates a needs-based policy in relation to assessment. Schools identify any assessment arrangements a dyslexic candidate may require. Those most commonly provided for dyslexic…

25 Jun 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have adopted a six-week settling-in period for pupils starting primary one.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The statutory responsibility for the provision of education in Scotland rests with local authorities. In discharging these duties authorities are responsible for the day to day organisation of the schools including the arrangements for the settling in of prim…

16 Jun 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to inform doctors about the medical certificate of cause of death that is expected to be introduced in August.

2 May 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a programme in schools for monitoring children’s weight.