Tavish Scott

3 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many hours have been worked on Sundays since the start of construction on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Code of Construction Practice allows for 24 hour working on marine works, which has and continues to take place other than planned shut downs at holiday periods and as a result of adverse weather. For non-marine works, the total number of approved hours o…

3 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many hours have been worked on construction on the Forth Replacement Crossing project outwith normal working hours as defined in the Forth Replacement Crossing Code of Construction Practice.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Code of Construction Practice allows for 24 hour working on marine works, which has and continues to take place other than planned shut downs at holiday periods and as a result of adverse weather. For non-marine works, the total number of approved hours o…

3 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been to the employer’s representative to permit the extension of working hours for (a) marine and (b) exceptional works on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Code of Construction Practice allows for 24 hour working on marine works, which has and continues to take place other than planned shut downs at holiday periods and as a result of adverse weather. No applications have been made for working hours extension…

3 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many working hours extensions have been granted for (a) marine and (b) exceptional works since the start of construction on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Code of Construction Practice allows for 24 hour working on marine works, which has taken, and continues to take, place other than for planned shut downs at holiday periods and as a result of adverse weather. No working hours extensions have been granted …

2 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18183 by Michael Russell on 29 November 2013, whether it will address the issue raised in the question regarding the evidence given at the Public Audit Committee on 6 November 2013.

Answer · Michael Russell: The material to which this question refers relates to college provision in the current academic year. Data for that is not available for some time. For that reason, the previous answer makes clear our commitment to maintain full-time equivalent places, the me…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18185 by Michael Russell on 21 November 2013, what the timetable is for finalising the new procedure for funding college places.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Funding Council is currently discussing the details of the new model with the sector. I have asked its Interim Chief Executive to write to you to confirm the timetable.

11 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for External Affairs and International Development discussed the postponement of planned elections during his recent visit to Qatar.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: During my recent visit to the Gulf region I spoke about human rights and participative democracy in line with the principles of the Scottish Government’s International Framework. The planned elections for the Consultative Assembly of Qatar were not discussed.…

11 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for External Affairs and International Development discussed (a) human rights or (b) participative democracy during his recent visit to the Gulf states.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Yes, I spoke about human rights and participative democracy whilst on my recent visit to the Gulf, in line with the principles of the Scottish Government’s International Framework. I also took the opportunity to speak about participation relating to young peo…

11 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14981 by Humza Yousaf on 31 May 2013, whether it has since taken steps to raise the issue of the poet, Mohamed al-Ajami, with the Qatari authorities.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As stated in the Scottish Government’s International Framework we will raise human rights where and when appropriate. I raised issues relating to freedom of artistic expression and human rights during my recent brief visit to Qatar. No specific cases were men…

11 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise the case of the poet, Mohamed al-Ajami, during the Minister for External Affairs and International Development's visit to Qatar.  

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As stated in the Scottish Government’s International Framework we will raise human rights where and when appropriate. During my recent brief visit to Qatar I was able to raise issues relating to freedom of artistic expression and human rights.

11 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it had discussions with the human rights charity, Reprieve, regarding its concerns about police torture in Dubai prior to the visit by the Minister for External Affairs and International Development.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As human rights are an important focus for the Scottish Government, I received a briefing from Amnesty International on the situation in Qatar before I travelled to the region. I did not receive a briefing from, nor was I contacted by, Reprieve before my visi…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS patients have exercised their rights under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.

Answer · Alex Neil: Everyone who is registered, uses NHS services, has a personal interest in a patients’ health care, or is involved in the design and delivery of NHS services is exercising their rights under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011. The Charter of Patient Right…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the analysis in paragraphs 73 and 74 of Audit Scotland’s report, NHS financial performance 2012/13.

Answer · Alex Neil: Funding for the treatment time guarantee was part of the £230 million made available to NHS boards for the 18 weeks referral to treatment time target. This funding covered the period 2008-09 to 20010-11. This was made clear in the Patient Rights (Scotland) Bi…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the basis is of its new methodology for funding college places and when it will be (a) finalised and (b) published.

Answer · Michael Russell: I have asked the Scottish Funding Council to develop a simplified and needs-based approach to funding. The SFC is working closely with the college sector to agree the model and its implementation.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are in respect of any financial surplus held by a college.

Answer · Michael Russell: Work on the reclassification of colleges as Central Government Bodies is overseen by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The SFC’s primary focus is to allow college reserves and surpluses to continue to be deployed for the benefit of the sector.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the evidence given at the Public Audit Committee on 6 November 2013 that there are 14,700 fewer college places in the Glasgow region this year compared with three years previously and that the biggest reduction is in the 25 and over age group.

Answer · Michael Russell: Colleges are delivering our commitment to maintain FTE student places, exceeding our target by 3% in 11-12. Moreover, the number of FTE funded places in the Glasgow region in 2011-12 was 25,940, an increase of 1,188 on three years previously (2008-09) Consi…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Funding Council will determine the funding allocation for (a) higher and (b) further education in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Michael Russell: The funding of individual colleges and universities is a matter for the Scottish Funding Council, and I have asked its chief executive to write to the member.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it has in the appointment of the chair of the regional college board covering the Highlands and Islands and whether the public appointment process will apply.

Answer · Michael Russell: Under the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act 2013, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will be the regional strategic body for the Highlands and Islands region. In its related Working Group report, UHI proposed that it would establish a committee …

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its review of the community pharmacy application process will conclude and whether there will be a public consultation on the outcome.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to the health portfolio question S4O-02539 on 6 November 2013. All answers to oral parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found: http://www.scottish.parliament.…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government from what budget lines the Employability Fund is drawn.

Answer · Angela Constance: The funding for the Employability Fund is drawn from two budget lines, Skills Development Scotland’s core funding; and the Scottish Funding Council’s Further Education Programme budget.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guarantee Opportunities for All: Supporting all young people to participate in post-16 learning, training or work provides for 16 to 19-year-olds.

Answer · Angela Constance: Opportunities for All is an explicit commitment to offer a place in learning or training to every 16-19 year old who is not currently in employment, education or training. Young people will be guaranteed an offer of appropriate opportunities within the post-…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Skills for Scotland: Accelerating the Recovery and Increasing Sustainable Economic Growth, (b) The Government Economic Strategy, (c) Action for Jobs - Supporting Young Scots into Work: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy or (d) Working for Growth: A refresh of the employabil…

Answer · Angela Constance: Action for Jobs - Supporting Young Scots into Work: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy provides an overview of the government's all-Scotland, all-government approach to harnessing and supporting the national effort required to increase youth employment thro…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd regarding the Air Accident Investigation Branch’s suggestion for an upgrade in sea rescue craft to be stationed at Sumburgh Airport in light of the fatal helicopter accident on 23 August 2013 and what action has been tak…

Answer · Keith Brown: This issue was discussed by Transport Scotland officials and Highlands and Islands Airport Litd (HIAL) management on 31 October 2013. This issue was also discussed at the HIAL Board meeting on 8 November 2013 at which Transport Scotland officials were present…

18 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will begin consulting on crofting law reform in 2013.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: My officials have already begun discussions with key stakeholders on how to take this issue forward and discussions will continue on an ongoing basis. However, as I indicated in the Scottish Parliament on 25 June 2013 (Official Report column 21444), addressi…

10 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost Skills Development Scotland to hire a facilitator for the week beginning 24 June 2013 to travel to three islands and Inverness; how this exercise will be evaluated, and whether local employers were asked in advance for their (a) input, (b) requirements and (c) availabili…

Answer · Angela Constance: Procurement of services is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member.

10 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, how Skills Development Scotland will re-evaluate its Shetland operational planning following the non-attendance at the Lerwick workshop for local employers on 24 June 2013, for which no more than one week’s notice was given.

Answer · Angela Constance: This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.

10 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses how well businesses and employers understand the full extent of services available from Skills Development Scotland.

Answer · Angela Constance: Assessments of how well businesses and employers understand the services available is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.

10 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Skills Development Scotland identifies the training and workshop needs in communities such as Shetland and how local offices are involved in this process.

Answer · Angela Constance: Training and workshop needs and involvement of local offices is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.

10 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the effectiveness of Skills Development Scotland’s local offices (a) in general and (b) in Shetland.

Answer · Angela Constance: Assessments of Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) local offices is an operational matter for SDS. As such, I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member.

2 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage the provision of bagpipe tuition in local authority schools where there is demand.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Instrumental music tuition is a matter for local authorities and schools, who must decide which instruments to offer for tuition, taking into account local demand and priorities.