Parliamentary questions
Rhoda Grant
2,396 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies have been put in place to manage hospital closures in the Highlands and Islands as a result of the current flu outbreak.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Highland monitors the number of confirmed and suspected flu cases in its hospitals on a daily basis. The priority is to minimise the risk of spreading the infection within hospitals and to ensure all wards are staffed safely to maintain high quality patie…
17 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking as part of its land reform policies to make crofters aware of the possibility of seeking the transfer to them of ownership of government-owned crofting estates.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government grant funds organisations such as Community Land Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to help promote and give advice to community groups, not individual crofters, which may be interested in acquiring part of Scottish Minister…
17 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what part the potential transfer of government-owned crofting estates to crofters might play in the land reform agenda.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Ministers would anticipate that any transfer of their crofting estates to local communities should lead to those communities being stronger and more resilient, with the opportunity for the communities to develop their land to generate economic benefi…
12 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take regarding Northern Isles inter-island ferry services, in light of the debate on 6 December 2017.
11 Dec 2017 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what contingencies the Scottish Government has put in place to deal with the effects of extreme winter weather on rural and remote areas.
5 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has used (a) other UK police forces and (b) the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at Dounreay for local policing issues.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Co-operation between Police Scotland and other UK police forces is an operational matter for Police Scotland and other UK forces. There are well established arrangements in place to facilitate mutual aid between UK police forces which is co-ordinated by the N…
5 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it is offering to local authorities that are using reserve funds to provide essential services.
Answer · Derek Mackay: We have treated local government very fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government. The overall increase in spending power to support local authority services this year amounts to £383 million or 3.7 per cent compared to 2016-17. D…
5 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to double-track the Highland rail mainline between Dalwhinnie and Newtonmore, and whether it plans to double-track the other remaining sections of the line.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Phase 2 of the Highland Main Line Enhancements Programme, which aims to deliver faster more frequent journeys by spring 2019, used the Rail industry Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) process to develop and select a preferred option that was ou…
5 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many trains were (a) cancelled or (b) delayed by the northbound Caledonian Sleeper breakdown on the single track north of Dalwhinnie on 6 November 2017, and what the total delay minutes were.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: As a result of the breakdown of the Caledonian Sleeper locomotive north of Dalwhinnie on 6 November, ten ScotRail trains were cancelled in full and eight more in part; three trains which completed their journeys were delayed for more than five minutes; and Sc…
28 Nov 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the situation with people affected by the Salvesen v Riddell case.
15 Nov 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the economy of the Highlands and Islands.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the Highlands and Islands. We will continue to work to grow the economy of the area by supporting businesses, entrepreneurship, trade, innovation and investmen…
6 Nov 2017 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding reports that the UK could leave the common agricultural policy and common fisheries policy in March 2019 with no transition period.
31 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported distress that can be caused to animals from fireworks, what its position is on reducing their noise levels to a maximum of 95 decibels, and whether it has discussed this matter with animal charities.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government recognises concerns about the noise of fireworks and the distress this can cause animals. A comprehensive package of measures has been introduced under the Fireworks Act 2003. These include The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 whi…
24 Oct 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed cost increase for ferry freight from 1 January 2018 will have on the Northern Isles, in light of reports that it was believed that prices would remain frozen.
18 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle fuel poverty.
Answer · Angela Constance: This Government has always prioritised tackling fuel poverty and is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland lives in a warm home that is affordable to heat. We are delivering our commitment to make half a billion pounds available over the next 4 year…
5 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in remote or island communities have the skills and abilities to carry out the work required in respect of changes brought about by new energy efficiency legislation.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the energy efficiency of all types of buildings across Scotland as part of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP). A key element of SEEP will be to ensure that we have a workforce with the right skills,…
5 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has in place to ensure that the supply chain for appropriate insulation and other retrofit energy efficiency materials for traditional buildings is robust to support the likely demand once energy efficiency legislation is enacted.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the energy efficiency of all types of buildings across Scotland as part of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP). A key element of SEEP will be to ensure that we have a workforce with the right skills,…
5 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has or will put in place to sufficiently rural- and island-proof energy efficiency legislation where skills, labour and materials are likely to be more expensive and scarce.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the energy efficiency of all types of buildings across Scotland as part of the long term Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP). A key element of SEEP will be to ensure that we have a workforce with the…
5 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to ensure that buildings are wind and watertight before it introduces measures to address energy efficiency, such as a Warm Homes Bill and the Scottish Energy Efficiency Programme.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: All housing in Scotland must be substantially free from water penetration in order to comply with the Tolerable Standard. Local authorities are required to have a strategy for ensuring that houses which do not meet the Tolerable Standard are closed, demolishe…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Ambulance Service (a) emergency ambulances and (b) patient transport vehicles there are in operation, also broken down by the number based at or attached to each ambulance station.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has a total of 1,455 vehicles in operation across Scotland. This includes 483 accident and emergency vehicles and 486 patient transport vehicles. The Scottish Government does not hold details of how these vehicles are sta…
29 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of planned improvements to the A9, what it is doing to upgrade rail infrastructure and encourage more freight onto the Far North Line.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Far North Line Review Team was established by the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity in December 2016 to consider opportunities to improve overall performance and make the most of this important asset for passengers, for sustainable …
29 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Freight Facilities Grant scheme will be reinstated.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Freight Facilities Grant scheme remains open for applications. As a state aid approved grant scheme, it is currently in the process of being re-notified to the European Commission. Any new applications will be determined following this process.
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, when this will come into effect.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government intends to bring forward regulations under Section 9(2)(b)(i) of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 in early 2018, which will give effect to the intention to extend the period of support to 90 days. These regula…
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding changes to the guidance for competent auth…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The operation of the National Referral Mechanism, including the guidance for Competent Authorities and the decision making timescales for conclusive grounds determinations is a matter for the Home Office.
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, what steps it is taking to ensure that all victims who receive a positive conclusive grounds decisio…
Answer · Michael Matheson: Section 9 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 obliges the Scottish Government to ensure support is provided to victims of human trafficking for a minimum specified period, or until there is a conclusive grounds decision, whichever co…
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, what assurances it has received from the Home Office that temporary admission or temporary release wi…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government will liaise with all parties with an interest to ensure that the Regulations to be brought forward provide the best possible support for victims recovered in Scotland. However, consideration of immigration status will remain the respon…
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, whether this period of support will be made available to victims of all nationalities.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Section 9 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act makes provision about the support and assistance to be provided to victims of trafficking. It contains no restrictions based on the nationality of the victim. Current support to victims funded…
20 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many community land purchases have been made in each local authority area; when each purchase took place and what the acreage was of each.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is preparing a full statistical release which will include answers to these questions which we expect to publish on 8 December 2017. The provisional estimate for Scotland is 563,000 acres, but the data are undergoing quality assurance …
20 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when its report into community land purchases will be published.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is preparing the first official statistical publication 'Estimate of Community Owned Land in Scotland, 2017'. We expect to publish these first official estimates to be published on 8 December 2017.
2 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09837 by Fergus Ewing on 29 June 2017, whether it will provide updated figures for the last two years; how much funding has been given to (a) grant applicants and (b) Community Broadband Scotland for providing grants, in each of the last five years,…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Since financial year 2013-14, Community Broadband Scotland has allocated £3,703,000 of Scottish Government funding towards payment of grants. Of that total, £3,553,946 has been issued, leaving Community Broadband Scotland with an underspend of £149,054. The b…