Parliamentary questions
Michael Russell
1,207 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Aug 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances local authorities are allowed to charge for music tuition held in school during the normal school day as an option on the timetable.
Answer · John Swinney: It is the duty of every education authority to provide adequate and efficient provision of school education without payment of fees. An education authority may charge fees for the provision of an extra-curricular activity that it is not legally obliged to pro…
19 Aug 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to provide more detail regarding the precise commercial risks that are anticipated if the requested information was made available to communities given that there is a publi…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02076 on 7 September 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…
19 Aug 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to release the information requested on the basis of a non-disclosure agreement with named individuals in communities served by these routes in order to allow research into,…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The public service contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services was signed on 22 August 2016 and Cal Mac, as the successful bidder, is subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. The contract will be made available in due course, on the Transp…
8 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Transport Scotland to collect data from 1 August 2016 for a period of 12 months on (a) unsuccessful attempts to book vehicles on CalMac Ferries to Islay, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Mull and the reasons; (b) cancellations of sailings on these routes and the reasons…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: CalMac Ferries Limited, as the current operator of the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services collect a range of data to forecast and evaluate demand on all the services they provide. Much of this data is, however, commercially confidential. Evaluation reports of th…
7 Jul 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will start tendering for the next town centre Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Services contract, which is due to begin in June 2017.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The contract notice for the town centre Gourock to Dunoon Ferry Services was submitted to Public Contracts Scotland today for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is the first formal step in taking forward a competition for the next…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it was informed that the senior BBC manager in Scotland would no longer sit on the BBC's executive board and what its reaction was.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01298 on 2 August 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…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it expects to have with the BBC director of nations and regions and what guarantees about such consultation the BBC's director general has given.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: BBC Scotland informed Scottish Government Officials on the day of the announcement. The Scottish Government have subsequently sought a meeting with the Director in Scotland to address our immediate and clear concerns on this issue. We believe that it is a ba…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the restructuring of BBC senior management announced on 6 July 2016 will place the BBC senior manager in Scotland nearer, or further from, significant decision-making structures within the organisation.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01298 on 2 August 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…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when section 32 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 will come into effect.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government will ensure that commencement dates for the relevant sections of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 allow the Scottish Land Commission and Tenant Farming Commissioner to be operational from 1 April 2017. This includes all the powers r…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that any plans for a new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay is state aid compliant.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The preparation of an application for new state aid cover for the goose scheme on Islay and elsewhere is well advanced. We expect to enter into informal discussions with the European Commission in the coming months, ahead of a formal submission for state aid …
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) SNH, (b) Islay Goose Management Scheme local members, (c) farmers and crofters on Islay and (d) the European Commission with regard to state aid issues that may arise in any new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has worked closely with Scottish Natural Heritage to prepare the state aid submission. No detailed discussions have taken place with farmers and crofters on Islay, though they are aware of the process that is taking place. While the su…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with regard to (a) establishing a new scheme to assist farmers and crofters on Islay with goose management and (b) compensating them for damage caused by geese to grasslands and crops.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government does not have any plans to establish a new scheme to assist farmers and crofters on Islay with goose management. The Islay Goose Management Strategy was developed with the full participation of farming representatives on Islay and impl…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will make an announcement about goose management payments for 2016-17 and any new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The date for the announcement about goose management payments for 2016-17 has still to be agreed. It was noted at the last National Goose Management Review Group meeting that the Scottish Government would not be in a position to have State Aid approval secure…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on opportunities for people in the Argyll and Bute area of proposals to exclude from any European funding application for the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme SCQF courses at levels 5 and 6.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: It is the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to submit applications for access to European funding as part of the Developing Scotland’s Workforce Strategic Intervention. SFC and SDS must ensure that thei…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take urgent steps to secure the continuation of SCQF Level 5 and 6 courses funded under the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government can confirm the continuation of SCQF level 5 and 6 courses as part of the Developing Scotland’s Workforce Strategic Intervention.
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of proposals to exclude from any European funding application for the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme SCQF courses at levels 5 and 6.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The programme guidance and qualifying criteria for applications to secure funding as part of the European Social Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 does not propose to exclude SCQF level 5 and 6 courses. Each application for funding will be carefully ass…
6 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that no changes are made to the SCQF qualifying criteria for applications by colleges in the Highlands and Islands for European funding under the Developing Scotland's Workforce programme.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The programme guidance and qualifying criteria for applications to secure funding as part of the European Social Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 were published on the Scottish Government website on 8 January 2015 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its procurement policies for telecare and its advice on procurement of telecare by public bodies takes account of the pending analogue switch-off by BT.
Answer · Shona Robison: As mentioned in the answer provided to question S5W-01187 on 29 July 2016, discussions are ongoing with Scotland Excel. A working group has been established and will continue to review the ongoing procurement policies in light of recent changes in procurement…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to telecare providers and those who commission such services regarding the relative suitabilities of analogue as opposed to digital systems.
Answer · Shona Robison: The decision on what individual devices and systems to procure is entirely a matter for individual authorities and commissioners. There is nothing to suggest that existing analogue devices are insufficient, as they work well across the existing analogue telep…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is continuing to support procurement of analogue telecare services in light of the pending analogue switch-off by BT and, if so, for what reason.
Answer · Shona Robison: Support for procurement of telecare services is currently provided by Scotland Excel, who manage the Telecare and Telehealth Technologies Procurement Framework (see http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk/contract.aspx?contract=0614). This is used by all 32 local au…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has provided to telecare commissioners and providers regarding possible issues regarding continuity of service arising from the pending analogue switch-off by BT.
Answer · Shona Robison: The reports mentioned in the answer to question S5W-01189 on 29 July 2016 contain this advice. The Scottish Government is acutely aware that continuity of services is paramount to the estimated 160,000 people who rely on a telecare service. Following discuss…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the analogue systems run by BT and used by the majority of present telecare providers in Scotland to be switched off.
Answer · Shona Robison: Ofcom are fully aware and accept that the analogue infrastructure is not sustainable and cannot be supported long term. However, in ongoing discussions with Ofcom, it has been confirmed that there is currently no timetable in place for the replacement program…
4 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Highland Self Builld Loan Fund will be made available in Argyll and Bute.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Highland Self Build Loan Fund is a £4 million, two-year pilot that began operating in April 2016 and will be regularly reviewed to understand the limitations and opportunities it provides. A full evaluation will be carried out to help inform whether this …
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps is taking to address the reported public concerns regarding the governance of the Crofting Commission.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government holds regular meetings with the Crofting Commission as part of its normal arrangements in building and maintaining effective relationships. During such meetings a range of matters are discussed including corporate governance and curren…
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the Chief of Executive of the Scottish Crofting Federation on 25 May 2016 that the Crofting Commission was not delivering "the express will of the Parliament".
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is in discussions with crofting stakeholders including the Scottish Crofting Federation, with whom it had a very useful meeting just recently. The Scottish Government has asked the Crofting Commission to contact Michael Russell, MSP, d…
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to ensure that the Crofting Commission operates in a transparent and accountable manner.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A framework document, April 2016 to March 2018, has been established and agreed with the Crofting Commission. This defines key roles, responsibilities and accountabilities which underpin the relationship between the Crofting Commission and the Scottish Govern…
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, what its position of the comments by the Minister of State for Scotland, Lord Kirkhill, in the House of Lords on 6 April 1976 regarding the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill that "there would seem to be nothing [in the bill] to prevent a voluntary arrangement being made whereby any crofte…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is aware of these comments, which were made supplementary to a debate on an amendment. That amendment was not supported on the grounds that it would take what was a matter for the will of individual crofters out of their hands. The ame…
21 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been advised by the Crofting Commission of the recent resignation of one of its commissioners and, if so, what reasons was given for the resignation.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: William Swann submitted his resignation direct to Scottish Ministers. The reasons for his resignation are a private matter for Mr Swann.
15 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what procedure will apply for a member of the public to object to the inclusion of a body or company on the proposed register of letting agents.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Part 4 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 does not set out a procedure for public objections to the inclusion of a body or company in the register of letting agents. However, it does require Scottish Ministers to have regard to all the circumstances of the ca…
15 Jun 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed register of letting agents will be (a) compiled and (b) published.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: We expect that the register of letting agents will be open for applications in early 2018, once the first-tier tribunal, the body responsible for appeals against a decision to refuse or revoke registration, is ready to hear letting agent cases. Once a decisio…