Maureen Watt

15 Jan 2020 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with drug companies and pharmacies to reduce single-use plastics in the dispensing of medicines.

8 Jan 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the £30 million link road project at the Haudagain roundabout in Aberdeen.

18 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the UK Government's spending pledges and the Barnett consequentials that might arise from these.

3 Dec 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the procurement of the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We have been formally notified that CalMac Ferries Limited have raised legal proceedings to set aside the decision to appoint Serco Limited as the preferred bidder to provide the Northern Isles Ferry Services. Given the ongoing legal proceedings, Scottish Mi…

27 Nov 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to concerns regarding the number of hoax calls to the emergency services in Aberdeen.

7 Nov 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the forthcoming first anniversary of the closure of The New School Butterstone, when the Scottish Ministers will respond to the call for an independent review into this matter.

Answer · John Swinney: An independent review into the closure of the New School Butterstone has been commissioned and will be led by James Martin CBE. The Review will consider the procedures followed by the Board of The New School Butterstone, the Care Inspectorate, Education Scot…

5 Nov 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of women, including single mothers, resorting to so-called survival sex because their universal credit payments do not cover the basic needs of daily living.

2 Oct 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that Northern Ireland will be given powers to shape its future relationship with the EU, what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding similar powers being given to Scotland.

4 Sep 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the expected costs incurred by Police Scotland will be in preparing for Brexit.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are keeping the expected costs of preparing for Brexit under review. The Scottish Government has already committed to funding EU exit-related policing costs of up to £17 million in 2019-20. This funding is rin…

2 Jul 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it met the EU threshold target of paying at least 95.24% of the total value of valid pillar 1 schemes applications by the 30 June 2019 date.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I can confirm that the Scottish Government did meet the EU threshold target of paying at least 95.24% before the 30 June 2019 for all 5 pillar 1 schemes. By the 30 June 2019 we had paid: £432.5 million The Scottish Government has also paid 95.40% of value …

12 Jun 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for people applying to university who have leave to remain when assessing their home or overseas status.

29 May 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to deliver superfast broadband to rural communities.

22 May 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the food and drink sector, in light of statistics suggesting that the sector's value was almost £15 billion in 2017.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We continue to work with farmers, food producers and industry bodies to drive forward the Ambition 2030 food and drink strategy. Our Programme for Government sets out a range of measures to support the sector, building on the range of work that is already ong…

22 May 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Scotland's food and drink exports are at a record high of £6.3 billion.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Food and drink is one of Scotland’s brightest economic success stories. These statistics highlight the importance of the sector’s growth in recent years and are testament to the unique collaboration between government and industry and the hard work and enterp…

22 May 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the European election results, what discussions it has had with its UK counterparts regarding Brexit.

15 May 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the draft neurological action plan will help people with ME.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: We want to ensure that everyone living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland is able to access the best possible care and support to live well on their own terms. That is why we have made it a priority through our Programme for Government to impl…

1 May 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out awareness-raising activities in respect of the question on the Scots language in the 2021 census.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has provided funding to the Scots Language Centre to research and develop a strategy for delivering a refreshed online campaign supporting the Scots language questions in the 2021 census. The Scots Language Centre has begun discussion…

20 Mar 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been on the economy of Aberdeen and the north east of business uncertainty resulting from Brexit.

6 Mar 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reached a decision on when it will publish its principles of charging and objectives for the water industry’s 2021 to 2027 price control period, and whether it will alter the single person discount for water charges.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I have carefully considered the feedback received from customers and stakeholders during the recent consultation process as well as the comments received from representatives subsequently. I have also considered the impact of amending discounts during the tra…

18 Feb 2019 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what economic benefits could be realised following the full opening of the AWPR.

12 Feb 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports young people from deprived communities to positively engage in sporting activities.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Scottish Government has a vision of a Scotland where more people are more active, more often. We aim to reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030. The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out our ambitions for a more active Scotla…

23 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government immigration policy is having on Scotland’s working population.

16 Jan 2019 · Inspired Question

Date Lodged: 17/01/2019  To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the BSE risk status of Scotland, following the recent case in Aberdeenshire.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have analysed an epidemiological report into this isolated case of BSE and concluded that Scotland complies with the provisions of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code and qualifies for the re-instatement of a “con…

15 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its initial assessment is of the impact of the AWPR on north east transport.

19 Dec 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Aberdeen Roads Limited’s progress in completing the Don Crossing and opening the final section of Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

Answer · Michael Matheson: We can already see the benefits of the newly opened section of AWPR from Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston. Despite what it said at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee just over a fortnight ago, ARL informed officials on 18 December that it wa…

18 Dec 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met north east business leaders, and what matters were discussed.

14 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

6 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the fish processing industry in the north east regarding training workers to make best use of exiting the CFP.

2 Nov 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the BSE case in Aberdeenshire.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Following confirmation of a case of BSE in a single animal on a farm in Aberdeenshire on 18 October, precautionary tests carried out in line with standard procedures on a further four animals have been completed, the results of these tests were negative for B…

18 Oct 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in Scotland.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I can advise Parliament that a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Aberdeenshire. In line with the disease prevention response plan, precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at the farm, while furt…