Gordon Lindhurst

1 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its strategy to tackle climate change, what action it is taking to reduce vehicle emissions.

31 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to the City of Edinburgh Council towards the running of the City of Edinburgh Council Music School, and what would happen to that funding if the local authority was to close the school and sought to redistribute its services.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not allocate funding directly to the Centres of Excellence, which include the City of Edinburgh Music School, but rather it supports these schools by providing funding through the local government settlement. The Scottish Governme…

31 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the contribution that the City of Edinburgh Music School makes towards (a) culture in Scotland and (b) the country's international reputation with regards to musical performance, production and teaching.  

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government recognises that the national centres of excellence, which include the City of Edinburgh Music School, are world-class facilities that make a significant contribution to cultural life both in Scotland and internationally.

25 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to encourage growth in the retail sector.

5 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what value of rates relief has been given to arms-length external organisations in each of the last five years.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government does not hold data on the amount of relief provided to Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs) for the past five years. Analysis undertaken for the Barclay Review of Non-Domestic Rates indicated ALEOs received around £45m of relief…

5 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the removal of rates relief from arms-length external organisations is consistent with the policy in its Programme for Government to work with local authorities to support people to live an active lifestyle through access to walking, cycling and places to participate in physical …

Answer · Derek Mackay: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

5 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what calculation it has made of the economic effects on arms-length external organisations if rates relief is removed.

Answer · Derek Mackay: On 12 September, I confirmed that 22 of the 30 Barclay recommendations were accepted and six required further consideration and engagement before the Scottish Government confirms its position, including consideration of the wider impacts. Our position, inform…

5 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what arms-length external organisations it has met and had discussions with ahead of deciding whether or not to action certain recommendations of the Barclay review of non-domestic rates.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government will engage further with a range of arms-length external organisations (ALEOs) ahead of confirming its position on the Barclay recommendation to remove eligibility for charity relief. Engagement is currently on-going and the Scottish G…

27 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether (a) age check arrangements should be introduced for online knife sales and (b) people who buy knives online should be required to collect their purchase in person.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Within Scotland we are sadly all too aware of the tragic consequences of young people ordering illegal weapons online with inadequate checks on delivery. I believe that tackling the irresponsible online sale of knives is something that needs to be addressed …

27 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01302 by John Swinney on 27 September 2017, what effect the new guidance on managing incidents involving weapons in schools has had.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government published its refreshed national guidance, Included Engaged and Involved Part 2: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing School Exclusions on 19 June 2017. This refreshed guidance contained a new section on managing incidents in…

27 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role sports clubs and leisure centres play in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

19 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that schools are safe environments for pupils.

Answer · John Swinney: The safety of our children and young people in school is of paramount importance and any violence towards staff or pupils is unacceptable. We are actively working with schools and local authorities to tackle serious disruptive behaviour and violence. Early y…

18 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings it has held with cycle groups regarding the preferred new road layout proposed for the Sheriffhall Roundabout and what was discussed.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland held the first of two active travel workshops with key stakeholders, including Spokes and Sustrans, on 30 August. The workshop considered the development of active travel, including cycling, facilities within the preferred option for Sherif…

13 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role sport has in attracting tourism to Scotland.

28 Aug 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the performance of the economy is affected by the property market.

29 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure “on protection” prisoners have the same possibility of movement in prisons as other prisoners.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: HMP Edinburgh is Scotland’s second largest prison and houses a complex mix of population groups. Ensuring six different population groups ar…

29 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reportedly high level of staff absences at HMP Edinburgh.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The level of staff sick absence at HMP Edinburgh has risen over the past 12 months. To alleviate staffing pressures, additional resources wi…

29 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to increase the uptake of employment and educational possibilities in prisons.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The SPS will shortly publish their Purposeful Activity Framework. This framework introduces a national Purposeful Activity (PA) delivery mod…

29 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report on HMP Edinburgh for the period 6 to 17 March 2017, published on 28 June, which shows that some inmates have complained of only being given an hour outside the prison on two days per week.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Rule 87(1) of the Prison & Young Offenders Institution (Scotland) Rules 2011 states every prisoner must be given the opportunity to take exe…

29 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09973 by Aileen Campbell on 28 June 2017, whether it considers that section 7(1) of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006, which suggests that the nearest relative of a deceased adult can still authorise the use of organs for transplantation in cases…

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Section 7 of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 provides for explicit authorisation by the nearest relative in cases where there is no knowledge that the individual was unwilling to donate. In contrast, an opt out system would enable authorisation from an i…

27 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many electric vehicle charging points there are at service stations on the M8.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The only designated service station on the M8 is the Heart of Scotland facility at Harthill. While no Chargeplace Scotland electric vehicle charge points currently exist at that station, 11 rapid charge points and additional lower powered charge points are si…

27 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for churches to make their buildings more energy-efficient.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting organisations across Scotland to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. We provide support to churches and other organisations to achieve this through three main sources. Firstly, Resource Effici…

7 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01084 by Michael Matheson on 7 June 2017, what safeguards are in place to ensure that over criminalisation does not take place within family and romantic life as a result of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The offence has been developed through an intense period of consultation and dialogue with key stakeholders over a 2 year period. The offence contained in the Bill sets out three conditions, all of which have to be met for this offence to be committed. These …

7 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01084 by Michael Matheson on 7 June 2017, what its position is on reported comments by legal experts that the Domestic Abuse (Scotland ) Bill may be too broad and could make "commonplace friction" within family and romantic life illegal.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The new offence seeks to cover all the different forms of abusive behaviour that can comprise a pattern of domestic abuse. We are aware that victims describe experiencing coercive and controlling abuse, sometimes over extended periods of time and with long-te…

31 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its consultation in 2016, what further views it will take into account regarding the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Domestic Abuse Bill was introduced into Parliament in March. Prior to the Bill being introduced, there were three separate consultations for provisions contained in the Bill including two consultations specifically relating to the new offence of domestic …

18 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when a bill will be brought forward to implement or part-implement the proposals set out following the second consultation on the Scottish Law Commission's proposed new scheme for intestacy, protection from disinheritance under a will and extended rights for cohabitants, which closed on …

Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00480484.pdf on recommendations in the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Succession No.215 for a proposed new scheme for intestacy, protection from disinheritance und…

10 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to protect communities that are in close proximity to extensive building works.

3 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the aims of the campaign, Fathers for Justice, with regard to seeking changes in the law to provide better support for fathers seeking access to their children.

Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government intends to review Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, which is the key legislation on contact. The aim of the review is to ensure the interests of children and their need to form and maintain relationships with key adults in th…

3 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve public health through cycling.

24 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent joint economic declaration signed with Bavaria, what lessons it can learn from the cooperation agreement signed with Bavaria in 2002, and what its position is on whether Scotland has followed up on the 2002 agreement.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: On 30 June 2003 a cross-cutting cooperation agreement was signed by the then First Minister, Jack McConnell, and the Bavarian State Minister for Federal European Affairs, Reinhold Bocklet. This agreement covered a number of policy areas, such as: European pol…