Parliamentary questions
Bruce Crawford
999 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Dec 2013 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what recent conversations the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the Barnett formula.
25 Nov 2013 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that the people of Scotland have the information they need to make an informed decision in the referendum on independence on 18 September 2014.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am pleased to announce that we are publishing today, our guide to independence, Scotland’s Future – Your Guide to An Independent Scotland. This is a detailed and comprehensive blueprint for independence, and sets out the benefits and opportunities of having…
18 Nov 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in tackling homelessness.
6 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what company provides its professional indemnity insurance.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has a policy of self-insurance and does not purchase professional indemnity insurance. Relevant claims established against an office-holder or board member would be met from funds provided by Scottish Ministers.
31 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what requirements there are under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 for licensing boards to consider the views of NHS boards in relation to (a) applications and (b) consideration of overprovision policies, and whether it plans to update these.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires licensing boards to consider the views of NHS boards in relation to both (a) applications and (b) consideration of overprovision policies. We have no specific plans to change this requirement.
31 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines there are under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 for licensing boards to consider whether applications protect and improve public health and safety.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 provides that a licensing board’s policy statement must seek to promote the five licensing objectives, including the objectives to “protect and improve public health” and “securing public safety”, and that the board must have…
15 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to people in Stirling with multiple sclerosis.
Answer · Alex Neil: While policies, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, individual NHS boards are responsible for planning and funding services in their area and for securing the staff to deliver them. It is for NHS boards to determine their workfor…
25 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will use its compliance assessment scheme to measure the performance of the Fintry sewage treatment works.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The utilisation of the compliance assessment scheme is an operational matter for SEPA. As set out in answer S4W-16045 I have also asked SEPA and Scottish Water to meet with you to discuss your concerns on Fintry Wastewater Treatment Works and to explain how a…
25 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's decision to take no action against Scottish Water following alleged licence breaches with regard to the sewage system in the Fintry area.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: SEPA is responsible for ensuring that Scottish Water meets the required standards regarding discharges of wastewater to the environment and in this instance has written to Scottish Water. SEPA as the appropriate regulator will decide how best to engage with S…
25 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported concerns regarding infiltration from the field drain and culverted water courses of the sewage disposal system in the Fintry area.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16045 on 22 July 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/parliamentarybu…
25 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what upgrading of the sewage system in Fintry will be carried out over the next three years and what work will remain outstanding.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Water is required to meet legislative standards relating to the operation of Wastewater Treatment works. The specific nature of the investment necessary to meet these standards is a matter for Scottish Water and SEPA to agree. I have asked SEPA and S…
25 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Water will begin work on upgrading the sewage treatment works and the associated sewage disposal system in Fintry.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Fintry Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) received a £1M capital investment upgrade in 2006 which included increasing the design population of the WWTW from the then 500 to a figure of 870. Further work is planned at Fintry during 2014 to upgrade the mechanic…
17 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how important classroom assistants are in enabling young people to achieve their full educational potential.
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what legislative powers it has to ensure that tenants and licensees of so-called pubcos are not exploited regarding the price of beer that they are contractually obliged to purchase.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 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/parliamentarybu…
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding introducing legislation to prevent so-called pubcos in Scotland from overcharging tenants and licensees for the products that they are obliged to sell.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 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/parliamentarybu…
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out research on how so-called pubcos deal with their tenants and licensees.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 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/parliamentarybu…
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Licensed Trade Association regarding how so-called pubcos operate.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 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/parliamentarybu…
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many licensed premises in Scotland are owned by so-called pubcos.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 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/parliamentarybu…
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign, which calls for a code of practice to protect the tenants and licensees of so-called pubcos.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15595 on 24 June 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/parliamentarybu…
11 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the UK Government's proposals in its response to the UK Parliament's Business, Innovation and Skills Committee’s 2012 report, Pub Companies, might impact on the licensed trade, and which of the potential legislative powers the response refers to are devolved.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) issued a consultation document on the possible introduction of legislation to create a statutory code and pub adjudicator. That consultation recognised that the proposals were not a reserved issue. Disc…
10 Jun 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a significant quarrying operation should proceed without the completion of an environmental impact assessment.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 require an environmental impact assessment is undertaken before determining any planning application, or review of any mineral permission, for a quarry which is likely…
3 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS Forth Valley has taken to improve waiting times for accident and emergency patients at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.
28 May 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the role of communities should be in helping local authorities agree their annual budgets.
23 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Government what engineering companies or organisations the Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages was referring to in the news release of 21 May 2013, Scotland’s science leads the way.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The article was not referring to any company or organisation in particular but was referring to Scotland’s strength as an engineering nation in general. A report compiled by Evidence Ltd. in 2009 rated Scotland as ‘strong’ in areas of clinical research, biolo…
20 May 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the average household has saved since the introduction of the council tax freeze.
13 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had meetings with the Law Society of Scotland regarding professional indemnity insurance arrangements and the role of Royal Sun Alliance in this matter and, if so, (a) when these took place and (b) who attended.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We have no record meetings of that nature between the Scottish Government and the Law Society of Scotland.
13 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Law Society of Scotland’s master policy for the provision of professional indemnity insurance arrangements.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Solicitors(Scotland) Act 1980 sets out provisions in respect of the Guarantee Fund and professional indemnity and that it is the responsibility of the Law Society of Scotland. Scottish Ministers have no locus in these matters.
13 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the 2009 Report to Scottish Legal Complaints Commission on the Master Policy and Guarantee Fund Research.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This is entirely a matter for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission and the Law Society of Scotland.
13 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many companies provide professional indemnity insurance for the legal profession.
Answer · John Swinney: This is a matter for the Law Society of Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested centrally.
13 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role it has with regard to professional indemnity insurance for the legal profession.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Scottish Ministers have no role regarding professional indemnity insurance for the legal profession. The Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 sets out provisions for professional indemnity for solicitors and former solicitors. It states that it is the responsibilit…