Tavish Scott

1 Apr 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to address the recommendations of the Education and Culture Committee in its 10th Report, 2015 (Session 4), Attainment of pupils with a sensory impairment.

Answer · John Swinney: Following the 2015 Education Committee’s inquiry into the attainment of pupils with sensory impairment, a work plan of actions to address the recommendations in the Committee’s report was developed. The majority of these actions are already completed and a pr…

29 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Highlands and Islands Airports Limited has not published the minutes of board meetings since December 2018, and when these will be published.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The publication of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited’s (HIAL) Board minutes were delayed due to delays in clearing the draft minutes. The outstanding minutes have now been published on the HIAL web site and HIAL has been reminded of the need to publish a…

28 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has contacted non-departmental public bodies regarding preparations for a no deal Brexit and, if so, on what date; what information was (a) sought and (b) provided, and whether it will place a copy of this information in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Answer · Derek Mackay: As a responsible government, we have been preparing for all EU exit possibilities and we have been working with our public bodies and non-departmental public bodies to understand how they are preparing for the UK leaving the EU, and to identify and mitigate p…

28 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of all contingency risk planning documents sent and received from non-departmental public bodies.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Non-departmental public bodies are required to operate within the terms of the Scottish Public Finance Manual which sets out specific arrangements for financial control, internal and external and internal audit arrangements and effective risk management proce…

7 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments by its spokesman in The Courier on 7 March 2019, what “additional measures” the “access data working group” has considered alongside the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) to increase access to university.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The measures that the group examined in detail were:Free school mealsEducation Maintenance AllowanceSAAS higher education bursary income data

7 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments by its spokesman in The Courier on 7 March 2019, whether the “access data working group” will form a view on the effectiveness of using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) to increase access to university.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Commission on Widening Access identified a strong relationship between Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile and participation in higher education, particularly participation at universities, and stated that SIMD “should continue to be us…

7 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments by its spokesman in The Courier on 7 March 2019, when the “access data working group” was formed; who its members are; what the timescale is for its work, and when its next meeting will be held.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Access Data Working Group was established by the Scottish Government in March 2018. The group has completed its work to look at measures to identify access students. The Scottish Government is currently considering how the group could assist with future d…

7 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments by its spokesman in The Courier on 7 March 2019, whether the outcomes or conclusions of the “access data working group” will be reported to the Parliament.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Access Data Working Group was a technical working group established by the Scottish Government to assist with delivery of a recommendation from Commission on Widening Access to look at measures to identify access students. A report on the group’s work was…

6 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the lack of 4G mobile phone coverage in areas of Shetland where there is no commercial interest.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: As the member is aware, regulation and legislative competence in respect of all telecommunication matters is reserved to the UK Parliament and UK Ministers. The Scottish Government is intervening, on economic development grounds, to try to address "notspot" a…

5 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has in ensuring that an individual’s right to privacy about their mental health is protected, where appropriate, in the criminal justice system.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The European Convention on Human Rights is incorporated in the law of Scotland, as in the other legal systems of the UK, by the Human Rights Act 1998. Under the terms of this legislation it is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way which is incompati…

28 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the UCAS undergraduate admissions system for postgraduate teaching programmes in Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Applications for postgraduate teacher training courses in Scotland are currently processed through UCAS’ undergraduate admissions service at the request of Scottish universities. Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and, as such, liaise direct…

28 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with universities regarding encouraging applications for PGDE programmes from mature students, particularly from those considering teaching STEM subjects.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Universities on a range of topics. We are supporting a range of alternative routes into teaching which are aimed at attracting a broader range of people into the profession, with a particular focus on STEM…

28 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported concerns that the admissions system for postgraduate teaching programmes is insufficient, and whether it will consider introducing a system similar to that used in the rest of the UK.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Applications for postgraduate teacher training courses in Scotland are currently processed through UCAS’ undergraduate admissions service, at the request of Scottish universities. We understand that UCAS is in the process of undertaking a programme of techno…

27 Feb 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are restrictions on local authorities using bond finance to support investment proposals in their areas.

26 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of scheduled departures were (a) delayed and (b) cancelled in each of the last three years on (i) Western Isles and (ii) Northern Isles ferry service routes.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Information on recent and historic passenger carryings for CalMac Ferries Ltd. and Serco NorthLink Ferries is published in the Scottish Government’s Scottish Transport Statistics publication. Table 9.17 on page 169 contains the requested information. This in…

26 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to mitigate any conflict of interest in the tendering process for the Northern Isles Ferry Service.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We endeavour to make every effort to observe good practice in all procurement work undertaken by Transport Scotland. With this in mind, strict protocols are in place to mitigate any potential conflict of interest during this tendering processes. This includes…

14 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total (a) eligible hectarage claimed for and (b) amount allocated was in Shetland in each year under the (i) Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes (ESAs) and (ii) Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS).

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Details are as follows:  Scheme Ha Claimed £ paid Calendar Year    2001 ESA 103,696.87 £682,161.63  RSS 0.00 £0.00 2002 ESA 116,595.13 £1,939,791.93  RSS 0.00 £0.00 2003 ESA 120,000.86 £2,142,149.92  RSS 48.18 £9,952.43 2004 ESA 11…

13 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out on the cost implications for local authorities of amendment 45 of the Planning (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Amendment 45, now section 11B of the Planning (Scotland) Bill as amended, would require an application for planning permission to be made in all cases where a house or flat changes use from being a sole or main residence to being used for short-term holiday l…

6 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to increase the number of dermatologists working in the NHS, and what it is doing to encourage doctors to specialise in dermatology.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Under this government, the number of Consultants in NHS Scotland have increased by 51.3% to record high levels, with a 35% increase in dermatology consultants over the same period (Sep-06 to Sep-18) . To promote long term sustainability within this specialty…

4 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20407 by Paul Wheelhouse on 14 December 2018, whether any eligible notspots identified will have parity with those identified previously, and whether there is extra funding to reach these.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: In Autumn 2018, we consulted on a long-list of 100 candidate sites for potential addition to the Scottish 4G Infill programme. These sites, alongside others identified during the consultation process, were assessed for their potential impact on population and…

1 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-17072 by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2018 and S5W-18848 and S5W-20848 by Michael Matheson on 27 September 2018 and 17 January 2019, which each said that an announcement regarding the future of Air Discount Scheme would be made "in due course", in ligh…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to the continuation of the Air Discount Scheme and will make a formal announcement before the current scheme ends.

23 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total eligible hectarage claimed under agricultural and environmental support schemes in Shetland was in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017 and (d) 2018.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Data supplied showing the total eligible hectarage claimed under agricultural and environmental support schemes in Shetland in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017 and (d) 2018. Agri Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) Claim Year Eligible HA 2016 3706.98 2017 50…

23 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the £45.9 million funding for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) for 2019-20 in its draft Budget, and what accounts for the increase from the £36.5 million allocated in 2018-19.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The £45.9 million funding for HIAL for 2019-20 is broken down as £20.3 million for revenue, £16.1 million for capital and £9.5 million for depreciation. HIAL’s budget allocation for capital has significantly increased compared to the £8.4 million budget in 20…

21 Jan 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on tendering the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

21 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many units in Shetland received payment in 2018 from (a) the Basic Payment Scheme, (b) the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS), (c) greening measures and (d) other agri-environmental schemes, also broken down by the amount allocated.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The number of businesses in Shetland to receive payment for the schemes listed is shown in the following table with the total amount paid under each scheme. Scheme Total Paid (1k) Total Paid (£1k) Number of Businesses Basic Payment Scheme(BPS) 3,877 3,…

15 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-02681 by Jeane Freeman on 12 December 2018 (Official Report, c.15), whether the meeting between NHS Shetland and NHS Grampian has taken place and, if so, what the outcome was.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: A meeting is scheduled to take place on 31 January 2019 to discuss the provision and sustainability of several sub-specialties in ophthalmology, and the necessary workforce and infrastructure required to deliver services on Shetland. This remains a challenge.…

7 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards its 90% carbon reduction target, and how district heating schemes can help achieve this.

20 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has offered to each local authority that has pledged to resettle refugees.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is proud that all 32 Scottish local authorities have engaged with the UK’s Syrian Resettlement Programme. Asylum and refugee resettlement are matters reserved to the UK Government, and the Home Office provides funding to local authorit…

19 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on allowing district heating schemes to have the appropriate Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating to facilitate their eligibility as a heating source in new-build public sector housing contracts.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The treatment of heat supplied to new homes from district heating networks as it relates to emissions targets for new homes will be investigated as part of the current review of energy standards within building regulations. We intend to consult on these and o…

12 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many STEM bursaries will be available for courses starting in August 2019, and what the target intake will be. 

Answer · John Swinney: The STEM Bursary advisory group is currently reviewing the STEM bursary scheme. Information on the scheme will be available early in the New Year.