Parliamentary questions
Mark Ruskell
1,773 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 May 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the recent pay award to Scottish Prison Service operational staff has not been extended to non-operational staff in the same institutions.
23 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle aggressive behaviour towards cyclists.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government provides record levels of funding to a range of organisations to develop and deliver high quality programmes to encourage an increase in everyday cycling. These organisations are obliged to incorporate road safety guidelines and promot…
18 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports apprenticeships in veterinary nursing.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: There is no specific Modern Apprenticeship framework available for Veterinary Nursing. However, training is available through a variety of veterinary nursing courses at the Scottish Rural College and North Highland College. The latest figures available for Qu…
17 May 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether dust clouds from the Valleyfield ash lagoons have exposed communities in West Fife to hazardous pollutants.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: In addition to taking enforcement act to ensure ash spread was stopped, SEPA undertook additional environmental monitoring which was shared with Health Protection Scotland (HPS). On the basis of analysis undertaken by HPS, NHS Fife were able to provide reassu…
10 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S5W-07899, which received a holding response on 22 March 2017, and what the reason is for the delay.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A final reply has now been issued to question S5W-07899. This provides a link to updated terms of reference for the group chaired by Professor Russel Griggs, including details of the group members.
10 May 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals determined under ministerial direction in the last year have been contrary to local development plans.
4 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of toxic fly ash being deposited on West Fife villages following the draining of the Valleyfield ash lagoons.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Ash clouds have affected the local communities near the Valleyfield ash lagoons; a situation which has been exacerbated by recent very dry weather. In responding to the situation SEPA have undertaken enforcement action with the site operator to support the re…
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans with (i) the UK Government and (ii) stakeholders regarding the commitment made in the white paper accompanying the Great Repeal Bill that "the Bill will give the devolved ministers a power to amend devolved legislation to correct law that wil…
Answer · Michael Russell: We have sought information on these vital issues from the UK Government but have been told little beyond what was publically published in the white paper on the Great Repeal Bill. While recognising the difficulties caused by the general election, we need grea…
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to uphold all EU laws, including preambles of such legislation, that impact on devolved aspects of environmental protection, including bringing forward any (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation that might be required following Brexit.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government will seek to continue to play a key role in contributing to EU-wide environmental policies, including leadership on climate change, and has committed we maintain, protect and enhance our environment. Membership of the European Union ha…
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contact it (a) has had and (b) plans with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that the Great Repeal Bill takes account of the devolved aspects of environmental protection.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has held discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside the other Devolved Administrations, on the UK leaving the European Union. The discussions have covered a range of issues, with an update provid…
3 May 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the effects of noise pollution on public health.
1 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice or instruction it has given to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) regarding the nature conservation advice that SNH is providing to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding proposals for the ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Cromarty Firth, and what the reason is for its…
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is a public body and is responsible for determining how it fulfils its statutory functions. The Scottish Government did not instruct, or advise, SNH on how to respond to the Port of Cromarty Firth Oil Transfer Licence applicati…
28 Apr 2017 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister how the High Court of Justice decision to order the UK Government to publish its air pollution strategy impacts on Scotland.
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported damage to flame shell beds in Loch Carron, which are not protected in law, when it will publish a timetable for the proposed Inshore Fisheries Bill as part of the Inshore Fisheries Strategy, which committed to consider measures "to facilitate spatial management …
Answer · Fergus Ewing: As set out in the Programme for Government 2016-7 we intend to introduce the Bill in the second half of the parliamentary session. Details of the Inshore Fisheries Strategy can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Sea-Fisheries/InshoreFisheries/Insho…
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a stock assessment will be conducted prior to the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams, and whether it will include (a) measures of spawning stock biomass, (b) population structure and (c) recruitment by scientific evaluation, or whether it will be an exclusively fi…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 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/…
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether an environmental impact assessment or, where applicable, an appropriate assessment will be undertaken for the study areas prior to the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 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/…
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many vessels will be licensed as part of the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams, and on what basis they will be selected.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 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/…
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how long the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams is expected to last.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 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/…
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consult (a) local community groups and (b) other non-fishery stakeholders prior to the designation of the geographical study areas for the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 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/…
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the identification of the geographical study areas to be used for the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams, and what their locations are.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is consulting with a range of interested parties about the selection of areas where trials of electrofishing for razors will be undertaken. No decision has been taken yet about which areas will be selected. The Government will consult …
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many permissions to fish for razor clams there are.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: On 26 April 2017, 31.
24 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research into the longer-term impacts of electrofishing will be carried out, in accordance with the recommendation of its 2014 study into the short-term effects.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 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/…
19 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which ministerial powers conferred by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 have not yet been used, and which of these are for making orders or regulations by statutory instrument.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, which is available at www.legislation.gov.uk, sets out the powers conferred on Scottish Ministers. This website also contains all legislation using powers under the 2009 Act, enabling identification of ministerial power…
19 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which sections of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 have not yet commenced.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Information on commencement of each section of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is available at www.legislation.gov.uk. This shows that provisions which have not yet been commenced are: sections 25, 27 to 32 and 56, the provisions in schedule one, and p…
10 Apr 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government and the EU regarding the licensing of seal killing and the fishery product import regime of the United States.
5 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-07554 by Kevin Stewart on 6 March 2017, what target date it has set to determine the planning appeal.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Ministers received the report and recommendations from the Division for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) for the Park of Keir proposal on 22 December 2016. We have not set a target date to determine this appeal, but Ministers are giving full and prop…
5 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals have been determined under ministerial direction since April 2016.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: 8 planning appeals have been determined under Ministerial Direction since April 2016.
5 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates (a) the First Minister, (b) ministers and (c) officials have met Judy Murray since December 2015, also broken down by location.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I can confirm that neither the First Minister nor Scottish Ministers have met formally with Judy Murray since December 2015. No Scottish Government Official has met Judy Murray since December 2015, although she did provide evidence at the Park of Keir inquiry…
5 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the role of natural flood management measures in flood risk reduction, and how the potential associated benefits of these measures, such as enhanced biodiversity, are considered as part of decisions and action taken under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Managing flood risk at the catchment level through a portfolio of measures is key to achieving sustainable flood risk management and a statutory requirement set out in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. Scottish Government guidance on Sustainable …
5 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many natural flood management measures have (a) not progressed and (b) been scaled down due to a lack of landowner buy-in.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, lead local authorities are required to provide an interim report on the progress that has been made towards implementing all actions in the local flood risk management plan. This review and report of the pl…