Parliamentary questions
Lewis Macdonald
2,224 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the delay will be to the full implementation of the IT systems included in the i6 contract with Accenture that was cancelled by Police Scotland on 1 July 2016.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. 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…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the cancellation of the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture will be on plans for the creation of a virtual service centre in place of existing police control rooms and service centres.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. 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…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that cancellation of the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture resulted in “no financial detriment” to the Police Scotland budget, who is liable for meeting the costs of the contract (a) to date and (b) on cancellation.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01217 on 27 July 2016. 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…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the i6 contract between Police Scotland and Accenture, what the agreed total contract price was and how much had already been paid to Accenture at the time that the contract was cancelled on 1 July 2016.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many employers have notified the Energy Jobs Taskforce of employees in the oil and gas industry in Scotland and its supply chain who are at risk of redundancy.
Answer · Keith Brown: Scotland’s Energy Jobs Taskforce was created by the First Minister early in 2015 to help tackle the immediate challenges facing the energy sector. The role and remit of the taskforce was to bring together a strong partnership of industry, public sector and tr…
28 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23025 by Keith Brown on 12 November 2014, and in light of the helicopter crash off the coast of Bergen on 29 April 2016, whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding commercial pressures on offsho…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01112 on 19 July 2016. 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…
28 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23026 by Keith Brown on 12 November 2014, and in light of the helicopter crash off the coast of Bergen on 29 April 2016, whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding an independent public inquiry …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The safety of offshore oil and gas workers in the North Sea remains of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government continue to have observer status on the governance body overseeing implementation of the recommendations in the …
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships in the oil and gas sector have been lost since December 2014.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: As at 4 July 2016 Skills Development Scotland is aware of 118 modern apprenticeship redundancies in the oil and gas sector since the start of 2015.
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many apprentices in the oil and gas sector who lost their jobs (a) have found a new position through the Adopt an Apprentice scheme, (b) have found a new position through other means and (c) have not found a new apprenticeship.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: As at 4 July 2016, 39 apprentices who had been made redundant in the oil and gas sector found a new position through Adopt an Apprentice and a further 25 apprentices have found a new position through other means. 54 apprentices have not yet found a new appren…
21 Jun 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a decision on the location of the Scottish benefits agency will be announced.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: We are not yet at the stage of making a decision on the location of the new social security agency, and there will be many potential locations to consider the length and breadth of Scotland. We will continue to engage with stakeholders, including local autho…
20 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), whether the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region Deal. is s…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The additional £254 million investment includes £200 million for rail improvements and the remit of the development works for that rail investment made by the Scottish Government, alongside the Aberdeen city region deal, will explore all engineering options t…
20 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), whether it will publish the scope of the feasibility study into rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £2…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00752 on 21 June 2016. 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/2…
20 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), when Network Rail is expected to complete its feasibility study into rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 201…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00752 on 21 June 2016. 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/2…
20 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), which north-east business and stakeholder groups (a) are involved in the steering group for and (b) will be consulted as part of the feasibility study into delivering rail improvements including the “double …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00748 on 21 June 2016. 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/2…
20 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), when ministers instructed Network Rail to commence a feasibility study into delivering rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00750 on 21 June 2016. 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/2…
20 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which ministers have met Network Rail since January 2016 to discuss rail improvements, including the “double tracking at key pinch points”, which it committed itself to in its news release of 28 January 2016, £254 million boost to Aberdeen, at the same time as the Aberdeen City Region De…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The then Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities met with Network Rail and ScotRail Alliance officials on 28 January 2016 and set out his expectations regarding the additional £254 million investment which includes £200 million for rail im…
14 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Network Rail will finish conducting its feasibility study into improvements on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt, as stated by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), and when the Scottish Government will receive that feasibility study.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00752 on 21 June 2016. 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/2…
14 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the scope of the feasibility study into the improvements on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt will be published and, if so, when.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Network Rail’s own development work is being progressed using standard rail industry processes. This will help inform the development of options available to both respond to the growth in passenger numbers predicted for the route and to deliver the Scottish G…
14 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has specified what Network Rail should do to deliver the 20-minute reduction in journey times on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt to which it has committed.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has set out its aspirations for improvements in journey times and performance between Aberdeen and the central belt. It is a matter for Network Rail, working with its rail industry partners, to set out the choices available to the Scot…
14 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers instructed Network Rail to commence a feasibility study, as stated by Keith Brown on 9 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), into delivering the 20-minute reduction in journey times on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt to which it has committed.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Work has been progressing on options for improving the Aberdeen to central belt route since the publication of the strategic transport projects review inOctober 2009 with progress subject to budgets and resources available. Transport Scotland and ScotRail all…
14 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates any minister has met Network Rail since 2008 to discuss the rail line improvements between Aberdeen and the central belt.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Potential improvements for the railway between Aberdeen and the central belt have featured regularly in general discussions and meetings between ministers and senior Network Rail officials since 2008. These discussions were subsequently reflected in the poten…
14 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which north-east business or stakeholder groups (a) are involved in the steering group for and (b) will be consulted as part of the feasibility study into improvements on the rail line between Aberdeen and the central belt.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Network rail’s own development work is being progressed using standard rail industry processes. This will help inform the development of options available to both respond to the growth in passenger numbers predicted for the route and to deliver the Scottish G…
13 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the funding for the new scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers announced by John Swinney on 13 June 2016 will come from the £12 million Transition Training Fund and, if not, how the scheme will be funded.
Answer · John Swinney: Funding for this initiative will come from the £12 million Transition Training Fund.
13 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the announcement by John Swinney on 13 June 2016 of a new scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers, how many places are being made available on this scheme and at what cost to the Scottish Government.
Answer · John Swinney: There will be up to 20 places available on the University of Aberdeen’s Professional Graduate Diploma in Education Internship scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers. The expected cost to the Scottish Government, through the Transitio…
13 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the new scheme to support oil and gas workers to retrain as teachers, announced by John Swinney on 13 June 2016, is in addition to the University of Aberdeen's Postgraduate Diploma in Education intake target, and whether there will be any net increase in the number of people taki…
Answer · John Swinney: The target intake of 20 places for this scheme is part of the Scottish Government’s funded Professional Graduate Diploma in Education places for the University of Aberdeen for 2016-17. The University of Aberdeen did not recruit their full allocation of stud…
8 Jun 2016 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what decisions it has made about the future provision of major trauma centres in the NHS.
1 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will release the funding for the three research PhDs in (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) motor neurone disease that was referred to in the 2016 SNP manifesto; how much money will be made available for this work; how much of it will be new money, and from what budget line it will be…
Answer · Shona Robison: Discussions to identify key areas of research need in these conditions are planned to help ensure these studentships have the maximum impact. These discussions will shape the research calls and inform funding requirements.
1 Jun 2016 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reductions to their budgets, whether it expects all of the national performing companies to continue to provide high-quality performances.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is providing funding for the five national performing companies for 2016-17, which support their plans to ensure performances and outreach programmes continue to be of the highest quality and retain a wide national reach across our com…
26 May 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the major trauma centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, previously announced in April 2014, what recommendations were made to ministers following the meeting of the National Planning Forum on 28 April 2016; what other advice ministers have received or expect to receive on th…
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00283 on 9 June 2016. 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/…
26 May 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the designation of four major trauma centres in Scotland, previously announced in April 2014, what recommendations were made to ministers following the meeting of the National Planning Forum on 28 April 2016; what other advice ministers have received or expect to receive …
Answer · Shona Robison: The National Planning Forum has not made any recommendations to Scottish Ministers following its meeting on 28 April 2016. The First Minister has confirmed that there will be four major trauma centres in Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. …