Alex Johnstone

10 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many registrations there have been with the Landlord Registration Scheme in each year since 2005.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Landlord registration did not commence until 2006 and the first figures we have are from 2007. The following table gives a yearly breakdown of the number of applications for registration in each year. Number of Applications for Registration December 2007 1…

9 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on regulating (a) professional dog walking, (b) dog minding and (c) other associated services to ensure that those providing these services are suitable.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Professional dog walking, dog minding and other associated services are not currently governed explicitly by animal welfare legislation, although we are aware of some local authorities that have introduced bylaws in their area to regulate some of these activi…

24 Aug 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to use the additional welfare and employment support powers proposed in the Scotland Bill.

14 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the role of the Confucius Institute for Scotland and Confucius Classrooms in Scotland.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Confucius Institutes in Scotland, other than the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) at the University of Strathclyde, are independent and do not receive any funding from the Scottish Government. It is the decision of the university which hosts …

14 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister or any other minister would meet the Dalai Lama in an official capacity if he visited Scotland again.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Government Ministers consider invitations for meetings as and when they are received.

15 Jun 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of its proposed changes to registering teaching staff.

1 Jun 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is satisfied with the performance of NHS24 in Grampian.

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is offering to businesses seeking to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the (a) 2019 Rugby World Cup and (b) 2020 Olympic Games.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Building on the experience in preparing for and delivering the events during 2014, Scottish Enterprise will work with partners to raise Scottish business awareness of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and to support companies to d…

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25214 by John Swinney on 2 April 2015, what plans it has to appoint further special advisers in the next 12 months.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25214 on 2 April 2015. 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…

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25214 by John Swinney on 2 April 2015, whether it has since appointed further special advisers and, if so, at what salaries.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25214 on 2 April 2015. There have been no changes since that answer issued on 2 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whic…

18 May 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assist people who aspire to home ownership.

23 Mar 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it will do to prevent further deterioration in the state of Scotland’s roads.

2 Mar 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the reported concerns of smaller landowners regarding its land reform proposals.

23 Feb 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of NHS Grampian missing the target of treating 90% of patients within 18 weeks.

16 Feb 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to deliver sustainable development in those rural areas that are hardest to reach.

2 Feb 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to the oil and gas summit in Aberdeen on 2 February 2015.

28 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on private sector housing portals of the launch by local authorities of the Home Choice initiative.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has made no assessment of the impact on private sector housing portals of the launch by local authorities of the Home Choice initiative.

28 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the providers of private sector housing portals regarding the provision of integrated marketing for private and social rented housing.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the providers of private sector housing portals regarding the provision of integrated marketing for private and social rented housing.

28 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of whether the information provided by landlords registering under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 is being used by local authorities when marketing their housing portal services.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has not carried out any assessment on whether the information provided by landlords registering under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 is being used by local authorities when marketing their housing portal services.

19 Jan 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what limits it will place on its contribution to the V&A project in Dundee.

8 Dec 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact on Scotland is of the recent fall in crude oil prices.

1 Dec 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a specific warning system for coastal flooding at Stonehaven and the coast north and south of Stonehaven.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: All flood warning schemes planned as part of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) Flood Warning Strategy 2012-2016, have been prioritised and targeted where the benefits of investment are greatest. While the current strategy does not include a …

17 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the regional allocation of funding by Creative Scotland to support cultural events.

17 Nov 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its state of readiness is for dealing with bird flu, in light of the recent outbreak in Yorkshire, and what priority it now gives this disease.

10 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Medicines Consortium decision not to make the drugs Kadcyla and Perjeta available for breast cancer patients, in light of these being available in England under the Cancer Drugs Fund.

30 Oct 2014 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the potential impact on the economy of the recent fall in crude oil prices.

22 Sep 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made to deal with any ebola outbreak.

12 Aug 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the British Veterinary Association.

4 Aug 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth will take to ensure that sufficient funding is directed to the Help to Buy scheme so that it can meet demand.

Answer · John Swinney: Help to Buy (Scotland) is intended to help people to buy new homes, to support industry by stimulating demand and to support sustainable economic growth. Given public enthusiasm for the scheme, it has clearly stimulated demand as intended. Scottish Ministers…

9 Jun 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the number of missed bin collections over the last two years is evidence of the failure of its concordat with local government.