Jackie Baillie

28 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the recommendations in its report, Coming Home, are implemented.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers and welcomes the findings of Dr Anne MacDonald's report: Coming Home. The Scottish Government will be funding a post to support Health…

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the current pay claim by lecturers is in keeping with the current public sector pay policy and, if not, how it differs.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Negotiations are ongoing. The Scottish Government are not at the negotiating table. Both sides will meet again on 7 March 2019.

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been "quick spend" by the ScotRail Alliance in the last six months as a result of underspends during Control Period 5, and, if so, what these projects are and their value.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Towards the end of Control Period 5 an underspend was identified by Network Rail. This has largely been re-invested in a number of projects across Scotland for the benefit of passengers, freight users and communities. Examples of expenditure in the last six m…

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which projects were taken forward by the ScotRail Alliance during Control Period 5, and whether it will set out the spend and approval, start and completion dates for each.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-21791 on 13 March 2019. 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/…

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the current pay claim from lecturers is the same as that already agreed for non-lecturing staff in colleges.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Negotiations are ongoing. The Scottish Government are not at the negotiating table. Both sides will meet again on 7 March 2019.

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many train delays and cancellations have been caused by failing axle counters at Craigendoran in each year from April 2017 to date.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government does not hold operational data in this detail. Axle counter reliability is the responsibility of Network Rail to whom this question should be addressed.

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Colleges Scotland and (b) EIS-FELA on current pay talks for college lecturers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: National Bargaining is a voluntary arrangement between both sides. The Scottish Government are not at the negotiating table and industrial relations in the college sector are a matter for the Employers and the Unions to resolve voluntarily. I will continue t…

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding was available to the ScotRail Alliance during Control Period 5.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The ScotRail Alliance enables Abellio ScotRail and Network Rail to work together to deliver against their respective remits. Abellio ScotRail, through their contract with Scottish Ministers have been allocated £1.5 billion in Control Period 5 (2014-2019). N…

22 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the ScotRail Alliance will replace the axle counters at Craigendoran.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Replacing axle counters at Craigendoran is a matter for Network Rail to whom this question should be addressed.

19 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21178 by Kate Forbes on 5 February 2019, what discussions or correspondence regarding West Dunbartonshire Council's 2019-20 budget ministers have had with (a) the leader of the council and (b) representatives and members of the council's SNP group.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government has not had any discussions or correspondence with the leader of West Dunbartonshire Council or members of the council's SNP group regarding the 2019-20 Budget. However, as per my answer to question S5W-21178, negotiations on the annua…

11 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have received the drug, Orkambi, through the Peer Approved Clinical System (PACS) since the announcement in December 2018 that the drug would be appraised by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: NHS Scotland Boards provide the Scottish Government with PACS Tier Two data on a quarterly basis. Next month we expect to receive the requested Orkambi figures, covering January-March 2019. My officials will provide the member with those details as soon as th…

11 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports that paediatricians are not using the Peer Approved Clinical System (PACS) to apply for the drug, Orkambi, and what action it will take to rectify this.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government’s Chief Medical Officer met with a number of cystic fibrosis clinicians on 27 November 2018, following concerns being raised, to talk through the PACS Tier Two process and to reaffirm that the cost of medicines should not be a decision…

11 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any delays in the processing of Peer Approved Clinical System (PACS) applications for the drug, Orkambi, in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We are aware of the concerns that have been raised by patients and their families relating to some PACS Tier Two applications. Scottish Government health officials are actively working to investigate and resolve any issues. We have been advised that a number…

7 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21158 by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 February 2019, in addition to the public liability and service standard failures, how much compensation has been paid out by Scottish Water and Business Stream to customers in each of the last four years, also broke…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Water invests around £650m pa to improve all aspects of its service to customers across Scotland and also enable growth to support new housing. This involves thousands of projects ranging from major capital projects such as the Shieldhall Tunnel to s…

7 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21154 by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 February 2019, on what dates the ministerial discussions took place, and who participated.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: My officials will respond to the member's FoI request on this matter.

7 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21153 by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 February 2019, which stakeholders it will work with regarding the discounts that apply to water and sewerage charges; what form this work will consist of, and how customers will be able to participate in the process.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government will further develop the Principles of Charging in discussion with Scottish Water, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator a…

7 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21152 by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 February 2019, whether it considers Age Concern to be a group with "relevant interests" in relation to the discounts that apply to water and sewerage charges and, if so, whether it will work with the charity regardi…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government considers that Age Concern would have an interest in any potential changes to the available household discounts. We will engage with them as part of any further consultations on this matter.

7 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21148 by Roseanna Cunningham on 1 February 2019, whether it will name the senior members of the stakeholder organisations that are represented on the multi-stakeholder group.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The regular members of the group are as follows:Bob Irvine, Scottish GovernmentJon Rathjen, Scottish GovernmentDouglas Millican, Scottish WaterSimon Parsons, Scottish WaterTom Harvie-Clark, Scottish WaterAlan Sutherland, Water Industry Commission for Scotland…

6 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11772 by Derek McKay on 25 October 2017, whether it plans to publish the Whole Government Accounts before April 2019 and, if not, what target date it has set.

Answer · Kate Forbes: This response is related to the answer to question S5W-21488 on 27 February 2019. The response is copied here: An update on progress in preparation of the public sectors accounts was provided to PAPLS at the meeting on 29 November 2018 https://www.parliamen…

6 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11772 by Derek McKay on 25 October 2017, for what reason it did not meet the commitment to publish the Whole Government Accounts "during 2018".

Answer · Kate Forbes: An update on progress in preparation of the public sectors accounts was provided to PAPLS at the meeting on 29 November 2018 https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Public_Audit/Meeting%20Papers/PAPLS_Meeting_papers_PUBLIC_29_Nov_2018.pdf . The committee was advise…

5 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20696 by Jeanne Freeman on 21 January 2019, how often NHS boards are asked to provide evidence that they are complying with their statutory duties regarding the provision of rest facilities; how this is monitored and recorded, and whether it will co…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: As set out in my answer to question S5W-20696, where staff are on call and require accommodation, it is the responsibility of NHS Boards to ensure that they comply with any statutory requirements. There is no requirement for them to provide evidence but mecha…

23 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work has met Councillor Jonathan McColl of West Dunbartonshire Council in the last six weeks to discuss the budget and, if so, when; what was discussed, and what additional funds he has agreed to commit to the local authority.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work has not met Councillor Jonathan McColl, Leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, to discuss the budget in the last six weeks. Negotiations on the annual local government finance settlement are conducted b…

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it is appropriate for Scottish Water to charge business customers for the collection and treatment of property drainage water on a rateable value basis where no such service exists.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Water should only charge for property drainage in situations where Scottish Water is providing a service to the premises.  

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its understanding is of the court decisions regarding the case of Scottish Water Business Stream v Chataroo, and how have Scottish Water's practices changed as a result.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Water’s position is that (i) the Chataroo case was decided on its own unique set of facts and (ii) now that the provisions of s.20A of the 2005 are in force (as of 4 March 2016), the court would apply a different legal test when considering licensed …

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Scottish Water operates deemed consent.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: It is understood that this question relates to “deemed contracts” in terms of s.20A of the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. This section applies to licensed providers and end-customers rather than to Scottish Water. The terms of the scheme are operate…

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation or money spent on restoration works has been paid out by Scottish Water to customers in each of the last four years, and what was the (a) average and (b) largest payment each year.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Water can make payment to customers as a result of asset failures that have triggered Service Standard payments or claims made and settled via Scottish Water’s Public Liability Insurance. Scottish Water supplies water and waste water services to ove…

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that there is a change of use in a property, whether it is the responsibility of Scottish Water to change a water meter that is based on fixed charges by volume.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: When a dwelling stops being a dwelling, the local rating assessor will remove the Council Tax banding from the premises record and the local authority will automatically stop charging Council Tax based on unmeasured household water industry charges that would…

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been any discussions between the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People regarding its proposal to reduce the single person discount for water charges; when any discussions took place,…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Discussions between Ministers preceded the publication of the consultation paper Investing in and paying for your water services from 2021 .

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it established a board to work with the Chief Executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and who serves on the board.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Board has been in place since the Water Industry Commission was established in 2005. The current membership is available at https://www.watercommission.co.uk/view_who_is_who.aspx .  

22 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the Chief Executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Under the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 Scottish Ministers were duty bound to appoint the first chief executive of the Commission. Subsequent appointments to the post of chief executive and the ongoing remit relevant to the functions of the Commissi…