Parliamentary questions
Tavish Scott
2,683 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the General Teaching Council of Scotland regarding increasing the number of minority ethnic teachers.
Answer · John Swinney: We want to encourage action to address the under-representation of minority ethnic groups in teaching and through the Strategic Board for Teacher Education (SBTE) have established a working group on diversity in the teaching profession. Both SBTE and the Work…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it collates ethnicity data in relation to the recruitment of teachers.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not collate ethnicity data in relation to the recruitment of teachers. Teacher recruitment and the collation of data is a matter for local authorities. The Equality Act 2010 (the 2010 Act) requires public authorities to: eliminat…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides guidance to (a) local authorities and (b) education authorities regarding monitoring the ethnicity of staff.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not provide guidance to local authorities regarding the monitoring of the ethnicity of staff. The Equality Act 2010 (the 2010 Act) requires public authorities to: eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance eq…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides guidance to local authorities regarding how to recruit a more representative workforce in relation to ethnicity.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not provide guidance to local authorities regarding how to recruit a more representative workforce in relation to ethnicity. The Equality Act 2010 (the 2010 Act) requires public authorities to: eliminate discrimination, harassmen…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects or collates on the ethnicity of students on teacher training courses.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not collect or collate data on the ethnicity of students on teacher training courses. We want to encourage action to address the under-representation of minority ethnic groups in teaching and through the Strategic Board for Teach…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects or collates on the ethnicity of teachers, and what systems are used to gather this data.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government collects data on the ethnicity of teachers from local authorities as part of the annual school staff census. Statistics based on this data are published in the statistics bulletin ‘Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland’ which is a…
24 Apr 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any changes that will be introduced to the governance of education will be island-proofed.
24 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is normal practice regarding modern apprenticeships for Skills Development Scotland to only pay a contribution to the cost of the qualification, with employers expected to pay any remaining balance.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Scottish Government policy is to provide a contribution towards modern apprenticeship training based on a series of variables, with employers expected to make a contribution to additional costs of training and assessment as required. SDS undertook a systemat…
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the assessment material used for the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy will be made available to teachers and, if so, when.
Answer · John Swinney: Plans on the use of the SSLN assessment materials are still under consideration. Feedback from teachers shows strong support for the key primary and secondary school teaching resources for literacy and numeracy that we have provided, such as the national ben…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of media reports in January 2018, what information it has regarding whether P&O is considering introducing a ferry service between Scotland and Scandinavia.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government would welcome new ferry routes from Scotland to the Continent including a service to Scandinavia, although this would have to operate on a commercially viable basis. P&O has indicated that on the basis of a review of the commercial and…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Transport and the Islands (a) has hosted or (b) plans to host a summit with ferry operators regarding services between Scotland and Scandinavia.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has no current plans to host a summit regarding ferry services between Scotland and Scandinavia.
18 Apr 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the justice secretary last met the Law Society of Scotland and what matters were discussed.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: I have Ministerial responsibility for the strategic relationship between the Scottish Government and the Law Society of Scotland I meet with their representatives on a regular basis and the last meeting was held on 18 April 2018. We discussed a range of issue…
11 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many members of the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) have a registered home address on an island, also broken down by which island.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: None.
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15397 by Humza Yousaf on 26 April 2018, what the terms of reference are of the consultation on the introduction of car parking charges at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports; when it (a) opened and (b) will close; which island-based stakeholde…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: As stated in my answer to question S5W-15397, HIAL is consulting local authorities and others on the practical implementation of the extension of car parking charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports. This will include of a range of activities, suc…
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15396 by Humza Yousaf on 26 April 2018, on what dates the minister (a) has met and (b) plans to meet the chair of the HIAL board to discuss the introduction of car parking charges at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I met the Chair of the HIAL Board on 12 March 2018 and spoke with her by telephone on 26 April 2018 when a range of issues were discussed.
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15397 by Humza Yousaf on 26 April 2018, what its response is to reports that there is no reference to the consultation on the introduction of car parking charges at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports on the HIAL website.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: As stated in my answer to question S5W-15397, HIAL is consulting with local authorities and others on the practical implementation of the extension of car parking charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports. This will include of a range of activities…
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15397 by Humza Yousaf on 26 April 2018, on what date the board of HIAL agreed to carry out the consultation on the introduction of car parking charges at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports, and when ministers were informed of the plan to cons…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The HIAL Board decided to consult on the implementation of the extension of car parking charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports at its meeting on 6 February 2018. Ministers were informed of HIAL's communications plan on 5 March 2018.
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15397 by Humza Yousaf on 26 April 2018, what its position is on concerns that the consultation on the introduction of car parking charges at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports will be ineffective, given that the decision to introduce the char…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: While the financial situation means that car parking charges must be extended, as stated in my answer to question S5W-15397, HIAL is consulting local authorities and others on the practical implementation of the extension of charges to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and …
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), also broken down by their annual remuneration.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Board Members of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited along with their remuneration are: Name Position Annual Remuneration (£) Lorna Jack Interim Chair 22,320 1 Inglis Lyon Managing Director 105,000 – 110,000 Gillian Bruton Finance Director …
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Audit Scotland last examined the financial management and accounting processes at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), and what the outcome was.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Audit Scotland do not examine HIAL’s financial management and account processes. Instead, HIAL’s internal audit services are supplied by Wylie & Bisset LLP and their external audit services are provided by Scott-Moncrieff.
10 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has started tendering or contract negotiations with businesses regarding installing equipment to charge for car parking at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports and, if so, which businesses.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: HIAL purchased some of the equipment in the financial year 2017-18 and will complete the project in 2018-19. CBRE is managing the project on behalf of HIAL.
26 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) senior civil servants use services that allow communications to be deleted immediately after they have been read or after a set period of time and, if so, (i) which type of service, (ii) for what reason and (iii) since when.
Answer · Derek Mackay: No, the Scottish Government does not enable its email software (Microsoft Outlook and Exchange) to delete emails automatically after being read. However, in line with our Records Management Plan under the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011, all emails are aut…
23 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the sixth supplementary to question S5F-02160 by Nicola Sturgeon on 22 March 2018 (Official Report, c. 17), regarding the introduction of parking charges at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports, what its response is to the comment by the managing director o…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: HIAL is non-profit making and the aim is for HIAL to break even in any given period taking account of its commercial revenue and subsidy from the Scottish Government. The subsidy from the Scottish Government is set through the Scottish Budget process. Given t…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) profit has been in each of the last five years.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: HIAL is loss making and has not made any profit in the last five years. The Scottish Government provides significant subsidy to HIAL to offset the difference between its commercial revenue and the cost of its operations which in 2017-18 totals over £26 millio…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that there has been no public consultation regarding Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) proposed parking charges at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Kirkwall airports.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: In the period between the announcement and parking charges being applied, HIAL is consulting local authorities and others on practical implementation issues.
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects that the £3 daily rate under Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) proposed parking charges at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Kirkwall airports will rise before the end of the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The level of the parking charges at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Kirkwall Airports will be kept under review by HIAL, like all other charges levied by the company, to ensure that HIAL achieves a balanced budget in each financial year.
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) proposed parking charges at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Kirkwall airports; what discussions it has had with HIAL regarding this plan; on what date it was informed about this, and by whom, and what information it has regarding …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: HIAL’s extension of car parking charges is necessary in order to fund the maintenance and improvement of facilities at their airports. HIAL is non-profit making and the revenue raised from the parking charges will be directly reinvested in the airports. The S…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has made of how Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) proposed parking charges at (a) Sumburgh, (b) Stornoway and (c) Kirkwall airport might affect (i) public transport and (ii) (A) passengers and (B) businesses that use the airport.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: HIAL assessed a number of factors including the anticipated income from the parking charges based upon anticipated use of the car parks at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Kirkwall Airports; the impact on passengers travelling for medical appointments; whether there w…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the role is of the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) consultative committee, and what its response is to reports that a member of the Sumburgh Airport committee was made aware of HIAL's proposed parking charges at that airport through a company news release.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Airport Consultative Committees are structured forums that provide an opportunity for the exchange of information between aerodromes and interested parties. Committees do not have any decision making power over aerodromes.
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) proposed parking charges at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Kirkwall airports is consistent with its stated commitment to island-proofing, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: In order to continue to maintain the existing infrastructure and improve facilities for passengers in the future, HIAL needs to develop a funding model that will provide it with the necessary resources to meet its requirements. The Scottish Government provide…