Parliamentary questions
Michael Russell
1,207 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Mar 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that only a reported 11% of composers, musical directors and sound designers working in publically funded theatre in Scotland are women and, if so, what actions it is taking to improve the gender balance in Scottish theatre.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: These figures are taken from Where are the Women? an analysis of creative roles by gender in Scottish theatre 2014-15 by Christine Hamilton Consulting, published on 8 March 2016. Creative Scotland is monitoring gender imbalance in theatre as part of its curr…
2 Mar 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that only a reported 39% of original plays performed in Scotland in 2015 were written by women and 47% of the shows directed by women and, if so, what action it is taking to improve the gender balance in the Scottish theatre.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: These figures are taken from Where are the Women?, an analysis of creative roles by gender in Scottish theatre 2014-15 by Christine Hamilton Consulting, published on 8 March 2016. In fact, as Ms Hamilton’s report indicates, the gender balance in Scottish thea…
2 Mar 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that only a reported four of the 24 publicly funded theatre companies are artistically led by women and, if so, what action it will take to improve the gender balance in the theatre in Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The gender balance in Scottish theatre is improving but needs to improve further. While it is not possible to have a direct comparison (due to different data collection methodology), the general trend is positive since 2009. Creative Scotland collects data di…
2 Mar 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its review of the planning process will include consideration of the reported need in the aquaculture sector for three applications to be required to establish new sites.
Answer · Aileen McLeod: The independent review of planning is on-going at this time and Scottish Ministers have not yet received the panel’s recommendations. It is expected that their report will be published in May 2016.
2 Mar 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider a fast track planning process for aquaculture developments such as is available in Norway.
Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government, in conjunction with The Crown Estate, commissioned an independent review of the consenting process for aquaculture in Scotland and the report’s recommendations are currently under consideration. Scottish Ministers have no plans to int…
2 Mar 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered a so-called green application process for aquaculture such as in Norway and, if so, what discussions it has had on this matter with (a) the aquaculture industry, (b) environmental bodies and (c) local government.
Answer · Aileen McLeod: All finfish farm proposals undergo environmental impact assessment as a key component of the consenting process involving local planning authorities and statutory consultees. The Scottish Government, in conjunction with The Crown Estate, commissioned an indep…
25 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission a study of the danger to health posed by exposure to vibroacoustic factors for people working on ferries that it subsidises.
Answer · Maureen Watt: I can confirm that the Scottish Government has no plans to commission a study on this matter. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29111 on 13 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,…
25 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the report by the Rail Safety and Standards Board, Fatigue and its contribution to railway incidents, and, if so, whether it has noted that one of Network Rail's 10 key incident factors is exposure to environmental stresses including vibrations.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government takes the safety of Scotland's Railways very seriously and expects all employers to carry out their duty of care to ensure that their employees are not exposed to undue stresses or fatigue that would impair their ability to carry out t…
25 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the medical conditions known as "soldier's heart" and "shellshock" are caused at least in part by exposure to extreme vibroacoustic factors and, if so, what its position is on such exposure in the workplace.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is not aware of any scientific evidence linking Da Costa's syndrome (also known as soldier's heart) to vibration exposure. Shellshock is now clinically recognised as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its causes and treatments h…
25 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the work of Dr Nuno Castelo Branco and his finding that prolonged vibroacoustic exposure could lead to a thickening adaptation of the heart valves, pericardium and lungs.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is aware there are researchers who have defined the condition vibroacoustic disease and undertaken research on this issue. In line with our approach to other public health issues, we receive evidence-based advice from Health Protection…
25 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that GPs are made aware of the possible danger to health of exposure to vibroacoustic factors in the workplace, particularly in the maritime industry.
Answer · Maureen Watt: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29112 on 13 January 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.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentaryb…
1 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of a lack of maintenance to signs identifying passing places on single track roads and, if so, how it will ensure that such maintenance is carried out.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29596 on 10 February 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.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
1 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what obligations local authorities have with regard to the erection and maintenance of signs identifying passing places on single track roads.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29597 on 10 February 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.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
1 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what statutory requirements there are for the erection and maintenance of signs identifying passing places on single track roads.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 sets out the legislation that roads authorities use surrounding the design and conditions of use of traffic signs and road markings that can be lawfully placed on or near roads in Scotland.
1 Feb 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what obligations local authorities have to ensure safe usage of single track roads in their areas and whether such obligations include the erection and maintenance of signs identifying passing places.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads, including traffic signs, improvement, maintenance and repair with local roads authorities. It is for the local authority to ensure its road network satisfies the requirements o…
11 Jan 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many road deaths there were in the 12 months (a) prior to and (b) following the lowering of the legal alcohol limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood.
Answer · Derek Mackay: There were 191 people killed on Scotland's roads in the 12 months prior to the reduction of the drink drive limit on 5 December 2014. However, figures for the 12 month period from 5 December 2014 to 4 December 2015 are still being collected and provisional fi…
24 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it is aware of the work of the (a) Occupational Medical Research Centre in Lisbon and (b) Centre for Human Performance in Alverca on clinical features of exposure to low frequency noise and, if so, …
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is aware that a group of researchers with affiliations to the Occupational Medical Research Centre in Lisbon and the Centre for Human Performance in Alverca adopted the title of vibroacoustic disease to define a claimed whole-body, mul…
24 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it is aware of Directive 2002/44/EC - vibration and, if so, what steps the NHS is taking to (a) monitor and (b) report on instances of workforce exposure in the maritime industries to whole-body vib…
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is aware of European Union Directive 2002/44/EC. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were introduced to clearly set out the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising fro…
24 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it will undertake a review (a) of the literature on research concerning the clinical effects of exposure to low frequency noise and (b) into the particular risk of vibroacoustic disease for people w…
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government receives expert evidence-based advice on this issue from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. Both organisations also draw on the advice of expert subject-specific com…
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28426 by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2015, whether extant Acts of Parliament enacted before the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) may be used for compulsory purchase purposes provided that any decision to exercise these powers was compa…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Yes, in general, provisions for the use of compulsory purchase powers in extant Acts of Parliament can still be exercised so long as the decision to exercise such powers is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it has set for the tender process for Gourock/Dunoon ferry services and whether it will ensure that an independent group is appointed from local communities to scrutinise the process and guarantee its fairness and impartiality.
Answer · Derek Mackay: A prior information notice issued on 16 December 2015 setting out our intention to undertake a public procurement process to appoint a service operator to provide a subsidised passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres from 30 June 2017. …
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the assertion of Tom Docherty, chief executive officer of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, that "revenue generated from high volume/profitable ports to fund the operations and maintenance costs of a low volume/unprofitable port or ports ... is acceptable and appr…
Answer · Derek Mackay: Cross-subsidisation within networks is an appropriate way of supporting island and remote communities as it helps ensure fair access to and affordability of services to those communities. The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract operated by CalMac Ferri…
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to ensure that any charges for the use of Gourock pier and harbour and by Argyll and Bute Council for the use of Dunoon linkspan and pier are commensurate with the Scottish Government policy to encourage the development and maintenance o…
Answer · Derek Mackay: Harbour dues are a matter for the harbour authorities, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and Argyll and Bute Council. Harbour authorities have a statutory duty to charge reasonable harbour charges for the operation, improvement and maintenance of the …
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the invitation to tender for the Dunoon/Gourock Ferry Services will (a) exclude, (b) include or (c) leave to later negotiation the level of harbour dues to be paid to (i) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and (ii) Argyll and Bute Council.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government's position in relation to harbours dues will be reflected in the invitation to tender for the Gourock-Dunoon town centre ferry service when it is issued to qualifying participants.
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, if the Dunoon/Gourock Ferry Services contract includes a requirement to meet the charges from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd for the use of Gourock harbour, whether it will ensure that the charges are based on real costs incurred.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The public services contract between Argyll Ferries Limited and the Scottish Ministers does include a requirement for to meet the harbour charges from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) for the use of Gourock harbour. It should be noted that Gourock harbou…
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider adjusting the grant-aided expenditure mechanism for supporting additional costs of island education to ensure that Argyll and Bute Council receives the same level of funding for that purpose as the island authorities.
Answer · John Swinney: The distribution formula which allocates funding to all local authorities on a fair and equitable basis is kept under constant review by the joint Scottish Government and COSLA settlement and distribution group. This is an officer led group that makes recomme…
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by how much the grant-aided expenditure (GAE) paid to Argyll and Bute Council is reduced as a result of the reallocation of GAE from non-island authorities to island authorities to cover additional costs of island education.
Answer · John Swinney: In 2015-16 Argyll and Bute Council lose £89,000 in grant aided expenditure (GAE) provision as a result of the reallocation of GAE to recognise teacher remoteness and distant islands allowances. They also lose a further £58,000 from the secondary school teachi…
19 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the cost per pupil at Tiree High School of £33,361 is one of the highest such figures in Scotland and, if so, what steps is it taking to ensure that any unavoidable additional costs for island education born by Argyll and Bute Council are supported in the same way as similar cost…
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not collect data on expenditure at school level. Argyll and Bute Council receives an extra £1.97 million from the Special Islands Needs Allowance which recognises that it costs more to provide services to island communities as wel…
18 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28816 by Alex Neil on 17 December 2015, in light of Argyll and Bute Council being bound by guidance on the inshore sea lochs and voes set out in Marine Scotland maps, whether it will move the southern boundary line on those maps for the Seil/Shuna/M…
Answer · Alex Neil: There is currently no intention to amend the areas to which the Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation: Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters apply.
8 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of studies suggesting that tree and forest planting can be used to mitigate the effects of downstream flooding.
Answer · Aileen McLeod: Well planned and managed upland and floodplain forests and riparian woodland can play an important role in attenuating flood peaks, as well as providing many other environmental benefits. Where the flood risk management strategies have identified the potentia…