Parliamentary questions
Patricia Ferguson
1,079 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 May 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, how the £290.8 million to support the housing sector will be allocated.
8 Apr 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the fatal accident inquiry system.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I gave an undertaking to the Justice Committee in January 2012 that a Bill would be brought forward within the lifetime of this Parliament to implement the reforms suggested by Lord Cullen in his Review of the Legislation on Fatal Accident Inquiries. But refo…
3 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it took to ensure that it followed each of the seven principles set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life when appointing the chairs of regional college boards.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14110 on 23 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…
3 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what process it followed to appoint the chairs of regional college boards and how the vacancies for these posts were advertised.
Answer · Michael Russell: The posts of chairs of regional college boards are proposed in the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill and, as such, do not yet exist.
18 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland concerning film and television production.
12 Mar 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Public Petitions Committee regarding the possible designation of a particular species of tree as Scotland’s national tree.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13618 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…
12 Mar 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government with whom it would consult prior to designating a particular species of tree as Scotland’s national tree.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13618 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…
12 Mar 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it would undertake prior to designating a national tree.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13618 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…
12 Mar 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism it would employ in order to designate a national tree.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: At present, there is no legal or established process for designating a national tree. However, the Public Petitions Committee recently asked Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage for their views on designating Scots pine as a national tre…
11 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.
4 Mar 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the board of Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed.
15 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 will be brought into force.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 received Royal Assent on 10 July 2012 and certain technical provisions came into force the following day. Commencement Order No.1 came into force on 1 November 2012. The remainder of the Act will come into force…
28 Jan 2013 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will accept in full the recommendations of the Electoral Commission regarding the conduct of a referendum on Scotland separating from the rest of the United Kingdom.
23 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support (a) it and (b) Historic Scotland provides to (i) local authorities and (ii) communities wishing to (A) safeguard and preserve and (B) develop historic or listed buildings.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: (a) & (b) Scottish Government support in such matters is delivered through Historic Scotland, as the Executive Agency tasked with safeguarding the historic environment. (i) & (ii) Historic Scotland (HS) works closely with local authorities and communities to…
15 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what cost has been incurred by each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The dominant costs incurred are staff costs and I refer you to the answer to question S4W-12061 on 31 January 2013. Other costs are generally not accounted for separately. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s websit…
15 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many working hours have been committed to each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Detailed information on staff activity is not routinely held at the level of working hours.
15 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are involved in each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required. The amount of time staff spe…
14 Jan 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had about widening access to culture for people in north Glasgow.
7 Jan 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages young people from poorer backgrounds to participate in further and higher education.
4 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the facilities are available to encourage TV production companies wishing to benefit from the high-end TV tax credit to base their productions in Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Current success in attracting television production demonstrates that Scotland has facilities and skilled staff for such productions, including high-end television drama. The Scottish Government would welcome the establishment of a sustainable production fac…
4 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that TV production companies wishing to benefit from the high-end TV tax credit choose to film in Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There have been successes in attracting television production to Scotland for example, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International worked with Shed Productions to relocate the BBC drama Waterloo Road to Scotland. This venture is expected to gen…
4 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish production companies can benefit from the high-end TV tax credit.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Implementation of the recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission has seen benefits for the broadcasting sector, which creates the environment within which Scottish broadcasting companies can benefit from the high-end television tax credit. These …
19 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what reporting mechanisms the Chief Constable will work to in relation to security for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: The document placed in SPICe (Bib. number 54597) on 18 December 2012 describes the new Governance structures which Police Scotland will work within in delivering the safety and security aspects of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The chief constable will attend m…
19 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which ministers will have responsibility for monitoring the budget for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport has lead responsibility within the Scottish Government on all matters related to the delivery of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group has a formal role in approving the Games Budge…
19 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has contingency funds in place should the budget for security at the 2014 Commonwealth Games exceed the amount allocated.
Answer · Shona Robison: Contingency funds together with a Scottish Government Special Reserve exist within the wider 2014 Commonwealth Games budget to support the management of both known and unforeseen cost pressures which may emerge in lead up to the games.
19 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its plans for security for the 2014 Commonwealth Games are costed at £90 million.
Answer · Shona Robison: Based on lessons learned from the London Olympic Games, and a review led by Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and Strathclyde Police, the Scottish Government and Chief Constable Stephen House have agreed that a safe and secure Commonwealth Games can be delive…
19 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to ensure that appropriate parliamentary scrutiny of the enhanced security budget for the 2014 Commonwealth Games can take place.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government currently updates the Scottish Parliament in a number of ways on progress with planning for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. As Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport I regularly meet with party spokespeople, and provide updates to the …
14 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Deputy First Minister on 13 December 2012 (Official Report, c.14759), whether it is its intention to negotiate an opt-out from the Schengen Agreement in the event of Scotland separating from the rest of the United Kingdom.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Ministers have outlined their intention to remain as part of the common travel area and outside Schengen, in an independent Scotland. Following a ‘yes’ vote in 2014, a process of negotiation will take place with the UK government on the transfer of p…
11 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received legal advice concerning the position of an independent Scotland in the European Union, as announced by the Deputy First Minister in her statement on 23 October 2012 (Official Report, c.12408).
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12099 on 23 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…
10 Dec 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent discussions are that it has had with the UK Government to discuss the future of Remploy in Scotland.