Parliamentary questions
Lewis Macdonald
2,224 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Decommissioning Challenge Fund grants have been awarded; what the value of each grant has been, and when the next round of grants will be issued.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Currently thirteen projects have received a grant offer. The values of individual grant offers are set out in the following table. Project Name Lead Organisation Grant Offer Hunterston Marine Yard, Fairlie, North Ayrshire Peel Ports group £225,000 D…
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many offshore oil and gas workers have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded support by the Transition Training Fund to refresh their basic offshore induction and emergency training (BOSIET).
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Applicants can apply for funding support from the Transition Training Fund in any sector. Funding is not dependent on a secured job outcome – however, applicants seeking support will be required to demonstrate:they are actively seeking alternative employment …
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many seafarers who have been made redundant from the offshore supply vessel sector have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded support by the Transition Training Fund.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Transition Training Fund (TTF) was announced by the First Minister in February 2016. Its purpose is to support individuals who have lost, or are at risk of losing, their jobs in the oil & gas sector. Both employed (staff) or self-employed (contractor) ca…
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Decommissioning Challenge Fund programme board.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Decommissioning Challenge Fund (DCF) Programme Board members are drawn from government, academia, and across industry, bringing with them a diverse set of skills and opinions to provide detailed scrutiny of projects. Details of the members are included in…
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13847 by Paul Wheelhouse on 24 January 2018, by what date the SEPA investigation will be (a) completed and (b) published.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) continue to engage with the organisations responsible for the rigs currently cold stacked in the Cromarty Firth. The handling of the investigation and any follow up is a regulatory matter for SEPA and it is …
16 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken further to the commitment by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on 29 November 2017 to “continue to work with the Scottish Sports Association to explore the avenues for it to have a sustainable financial future”.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government has a strong relationship with the SSA and appreciates the independent role they play and the support they provide to Scottish Sporting Governing Bodies (SGBs) Yesterday I held a meeting with the SSA and representatives of the Cross P…
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what employment opportunities there will be for workers from Scotland from the semi-submersible drilling rigs, Ocean Guardian, Ocean Princess and Ocean Nomad, which are anchored in the Moray Firth and are expected to be scrapped in India.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: £5m Decommissioning Challenge Fund, aims to secure new investment in ports and harbours in Scotland. SEPA are currently undertaking investigations to establish whether movement of the vessels would be in accordance with, or contravene, European Commission R…
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of onshore (a) decommissioning and (b) recycling work in the offshore oil and gas industry will be carried out in Scotland in each of the next seven years.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Onshore decommissioning at Scottish Ports is undertaken in line with the principals of a circular economy, which promotes reuse of material over recycling and disposal where possible. Where reuse of material is not possible, only then are materials recycled. …
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding workers getting the maximum economic benefits from the decommissioning of semi-submersible drilling rigs that were deployed in the North Sea.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The decision on where to decommissioning semi-submersible drilling rigs is a commercial matter for the owner, regulated by strict environmental and waste regulations. The Scottish Government are committed to maximising the economic benefits available from dec…
23 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11769 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2017, whether it will publish the national trauma network implementation plan, which was due to be completed by the end of December.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Trauma Network Steering Group agreed a phased national implementation plan over the next 5 years (2017-22). This was delivered by the end of 2017 as the Cabinet Secretary pledged. The Scottish Trauma Network intends to publish its five-year Natio…
20 Dec 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date the National Trauma Network will be fully operational.
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been conducted with respect to the volume of secondary legislation required in each ministerial portfolio to ensure that Scottish legislation is fit for purpose after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13440 on 22 December 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/parliamentarybusines…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its views regarding the measures needed to address the environmental governance gap and the loss of functions carried out by EU bodies, and whether it plans to make a statement.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13447 on 21 December 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/parliamentarybusines…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to recent statements made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in relation to the need to address the environmental governance gap and the loss of functions carried out by EU bodies, and what conclusions it has reached.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13447 on 21 December 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/parliamentarybusines…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is considering taking to respond to the environmental governance gap arising from the loss of functions carried out by the European Court of Justice after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13447 on 21 December 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/parliamentarybusines…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is considering taking to respond to the environmental governance gap arising from the loss of functions carried out by EU bodies, including collating and publishing environmental data, after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is considering the nature of potential gaps in existing domestic monitoring, scrutiny and enforcement powers that would need to be addressed to ensure Scotland maintains its current high standards of environmental protection and accoun…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) external organisations regarding the environmental principles currently enshrined in EU treaties, and how these principles can continue to be followed after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the environmental principles currently enshrined in EU treaties continue to sit at the heart of Scotland’s approach to environmental policy. I set out this position at meetings with the UK Government on 6 …
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) external organisations regarding the creation of UK-wide standards in (i) agriculture, (ii) fisheries and (iii) the environment after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: While the Scottish Government recognises that common UK approaches may be needed in some areas, areas of devolved competence currently exercised with reference to EU law must revert to the Scottish Parliament, and the scope and content of any UK-wide framewor…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) external organisations regarding continued membership of the European Environment Agency after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There have been no discussions with UK Government on future membership of the European Environment Agency. Continued participation in the work of the EEA would offer benefits in terms of continued access to long-term data sets, monitoring information and expe…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been conducted with respect to the time required to enact secondary legislation in each ministerial portfolio to ensure that Scottish legislation is fit for purpose after the UK withdraws from the EU.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has been working to identify the legislative consequences for devolved legislation of the UK withdrawal from the EU. This exercise will identify issues in devolved legislation that will need to be fixed, either in time for UK withdrawa…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) foundation, (b) modern and (c) graduate-level apprenticeships were started in each month since April 2016.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: (a) Foundation Apprenticeships Accurate statistical reporting on Foundation Apprenticeship starts is currently provided by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on an annual basis in November each year. This timescale aligns with the contractual milestones for Fo…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which (a) companies and (b) sectors have taken on the largest numbers of modern apprenticeships in each month since April 2016.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Information on Modern Apprenticeship starts is compiled by Skills Development Scotland on a quarterly basis. (a) The names of the companies who have taken on the largest numbers of apprentices is exempt under FOISA exemption 33(1)(b) "commercial interests". …
13 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made plans on the basis that the UK will remain in the common fisheries policy under the terms of any transitional agreement following Brexit, and whether it has discussed this matter with UK ministers.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: To protect Scotland’s interests in all circumstances, the Scottish Government is preparing for a range of Brexit scenarios. We have sought to discuss the terms of any transitional agreement with the UK Government but our efforts have been hampered by a lack …
12 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the Urgent Question regarding the Fortes Pipeline by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 December 2017 (Official Report, c.3), what impact the repair work on the pipeline will have on the construction work on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) in the immediate vicin…
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: 23 January 2018. 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/28877.aspx.
12 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the Urgent Question regarding the Fortes Pipeline by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 December 2017 (Official Report, c.3), what impact the repairs on the pipeline in the Netherley area will have on roads, and what support will be made available to residents to ensure that…
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: 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/28877.aspx
12 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the Urgent Question regarding the Fortes Pipeline by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 December 2017 (Official Report, c.3), what impact the construction work on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) in the immediate vicinity of the Netherley area will have on the re…
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The repair works were successfully completed and road restrictions lifted on the 27th December 2017. I am not aware of any reciprocal impacts on either the Forties Pipeline System repair works or the construction work for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Rout…
6 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure fair and adequate funding for all of Scotland’s local authorities.
30 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish the dossier that it received on 27 November 2017 on the impact of leaving the EU on the economy.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13131 on 18 December 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/parliamentarybusines…
30 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reached an agreement with the UK Government regarding the publication or release of the dossier that it received on 27 November 2017 on the impact of leaving the EU on the economy and, if so, whether it will publish the details of the agreement.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has been clear that the UK Government’s sectoral analysis reports as a whole should be made public. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, the Rt. Hon David Davis MP, on 28 November. I also wrote again to the…
29 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that planning law provides adequate protection for live music venues.