Gordon Lindhurst

24 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what economic impact it expects the recent joint economic declaration signed with Bavaria to have on (a) the Lothian region and (b) Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The impact of the declaration, whether at national or regional level, will depend on the commitment shown by both sides to realise its aims. These are: To support and encourage business-led relations, including those facilitated through our respective Chambe…

24 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the absence rate in schools in (a) Lothian and (b) Scotland has been in each year since 2010-11.

Answer · John Swinney: The percentage absence for Scotland and the four local authorities in Lothian is provided in the following table. There is no data available for 2011-12 or 2013-14 as attendance and absence data is now collected biannually. Percentage absence (authorised and…

15 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on improvements to the planning system, in light of the Review of the Scottish Planning System.

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it foresees further investing, if required, in the Scottish National Gallery project, following reports that it is to be delayed due to budget concerns.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government supports the Scottish National Gallery project and has indicated to the National Galleries of Scotland that it will provide funding towards the project cost. The full amount and timing of this remain to be finalised and the overall pro…

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has committed to the £16.8 million project to overhaul the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The National Galleries has been advised that Scottish Government funding will be made available for the project and we will continue to liaise with NGS on this as they review how best to achieve the aims and objectives of this project.

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06885 by Michael Matheson on 1 March 2017, how much was spent on drink-drive awareness campaigns in (a) 2016-17 and (b) the festive period only in each of the last five years to January 2017.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has spent £29,000 on drink-drive awareness campaign work during 2016-17, all of which was in connection with the 2016-17 festive campaign. Scottish Government spending on drink-drive awareness campaign work in previous years related t…

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it has given to support organisations working to tackle domestic violence and abuse in each of the last five years.

Answer · Angela Constance: Funding for support organisations working to tackle domestic violence and abuse over the last five years has been published on the the Scottish Government Web Pages. These can be found at: 2012-2015 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/violence-women/…

6 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what agreements it has in place with the private sector to provide digital skills training opportunities.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: This includes the creation of CodeClan; Scotland’s first industry-led digital skills academy. Codeclan offers students an intensive 16 week training programme with direct access to employers and an opportunity to attain a professional developmental qualificat…

6 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06950 by Humza Yousaf on 22 February 2017, what its position is on the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill 2016-17 and imposing prison sentences on people in Scotland who are convicted of shining lasers at aircraft.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Sentencing is a matter for the courts taking into account all the circumstances of the case.

6 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend in the next twelve months to help young people live healthier lifestyles.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that healthier lifestyles are adopted by all age groups including young people through a wide range of actions. These actions start from the earliest years to help establish good behaviours with children that e…

1 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the consultation on reforms to its named persons scheme has been described by one group as a “sham”.

17 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the two multi-trade shared apprenticeship schemes in the construction sector are enough to meet the long-term needs of the sector.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The shared apprenticeship models were set up as pilot projects. One of the key criteria was to generate additional apprenticeships above contracted numbers and not displace planned recruitment. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of this model in suppor…

17 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it does to support shared apprenticeship schemes in the construction sector in line with its Skills Investment Plan.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07320 on 9 March 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28…

17 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that contractors are (a) recruiting or (b) planning to recruit enough apprentices or trainees to meet future workforce demand.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Construction Skills Network Report published this month forecasts that industry will need 12,000 new construction workers in Scotland over the next five years to meet demand. To meet this predicted demand, SDS are funding high numbers of quality MAs in …

17 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is currently a lack of skilled tradespeople in the traditional building sector.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government is aware that there are skills gaps within the construction workforce within Scotland regarding traditional buildings. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) works with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and industry partner…

17 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address that 30% of the construction workforce in Scotland is reported to be aged 50 or over.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: In its Construction Skills Network Report published last month, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has forecast that industry will need 12,000 new construction workers in Scotland over the next five years to meet demand. To meet this predicted d…

3 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00637 by Keith Brown on 2 February 2017, what (a) its position is on whether opening up trade with emerging markets would be a catalyst toward its target for export growth and (b) action it is taking in light of the reported 9.6% in international ex…

Answer · Keith Brown: As highlighted in the Scottish Government’s Trade and Investment strategy, Scotland’s export base needs to broaden beyond EU markets. Scottish Development International (SDI) works closely with a range of overseas partners to identify and deliver internationa…

3 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06323 by Humza Yousaf on 26 January 2017, what its response is to the research conducted on behalf of the Institute of the Motor Industry that suggests that 17% of people in the UK believe that the extra costs for insurance for ULEV is worth paying …

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Insurance pricing is a commercial decision for insurers. The motor insurance market is, however, very competitive and consumers may benefit from shopping around and obtaining quotes from a range of different providers before making a decision. Consumers may …

3 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06319 by Michael Matheson on 27 January 2017, how much was spent on each drink drive awareness campaign in each year since 2011.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government expenditure on drink-driving awareness work in each financial year since 2011-12 is as follows: 2011-12: £376,214.04 2012-13: £150,584.70 2013-14: £470,182.75 2014-15: £437,854.62 2015-16: £139,575.11 Costs incurred developing mater…

30 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report, HMP & YOI Cornton Vale Review Inspection 11-13 October 2016, regarding the conditions for female inmates, and how it will implement the recommendations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) welcomes the report on HMP & YOI Cornton Vale and the Chief Inspectors’ recognition that everyone in the e…

27 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of First Group plc v Paulley, what its position is on revising the guidelines for public service vehicle providers regarding the treatment of wheelchair users.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Government will carefully consider the judgement regarding the use of wheelchair spaces on buses. It involves a reserved policy area and Transport Scotland will work with the UK Government and affected stakeholders in Scotland to develop policy options wh…

27 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the observations of the High Court of Appeal in the appeal of Wood v HMA, whether it plans to the review the (a) legislation and (b) guidelines on sentencing for people convicted of making or being in possession of indecent images of children.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government will consider carefully the issues raised by the judgment to determine whether changes are required to the legislation concerning the circumstances in which a court can impose an extended sentence on an offender. In addition to the Hi…

27 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether temporary accommodation is a suitable housing provision for families with young children.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Temporary accommodation is a key part of the safety net of the homelessness legislation and ensures all people have accommodation if they become homeless. Scotland’s strong statutory homelessness rights mean households with children are placed in temporary a…

27 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take and is taking to help eliminate disruptive behaviour on flights leaving Scotland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Anyone travelling on air services should be able to do so without having their journeys disrupted by drunk or unruly passengers. The Scottish Government welcomed the introduction of the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers which was …

25 Jan 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what conclusions it has drawn from its latest trade statistics.

Answer · Keith Brown: The latest export data shows that despite challenging times for the global economy, total international exports from Scotland have continued to grow, increasing by £1 billion in a year, excluding oil and gas. We are working with our partners to further improv…

23 Jan 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on reports of NHS boards spending over £1,500 on a single agency nurse shift.

18 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that enough car mechanics are trained to repair electric cars in order to meet future demand.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As set out in the Switched on Scotland Plug-in Vehicle Roadmap Review, published on 7November 2016, we will engage with bodies such as Skills Development Scotland, training providers and employer groups to ensure education and skills requirements to support t…

18 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the research commissioned by the Institute of the Motor Industry, published in November 2016, which highlighted that Scotland has a lack of qualified repairers of electric vehicles.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As set out in the Switched on Scotland Plug-in Vehicle Roadmap Review, published on 7 November 2016, we recognise that there is a requirement to develop specific skills and knowledge to support widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), including ensurin…

18 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role it anticipates electric vehicles will play in its emissions reduction targets.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The draft Climate Change Plan, published on 19th January 2017, provides detail on a set of policies and proposals designed to support the widespread adoption of electric and other ultra-low emission vehicles and deliver a policy outcome whereby the proportion…

18 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on its recent drink driving awareness campaign, which coincided with Police Scotland's four-week drink driving enforcement activity.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government ran a marketing campaign comprising PR, partnership and social media. This campaign was launched in early December to support the Police Scotland festive enforcement campaign. Indicative results include: National and local press cover…