John Wilson

18 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Abellio to ensure that the issues affecting Nederlandse Spoorwegen in relation to the awarding of a contract in the Netherlands have not affected ScotRail.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Officials and I have sought and received assurances from both Abellio in the UK and NS in the Netherlands that the issues in procurement practice around the Limburg contract have not arisen in the UK. The investigations conducted by independent lawyers into A…

9 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28166 by Fergus Ewing on 9 November 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the (a) stakeholders, (b) communities and (c) others that it has had or is having discussions with.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The unconventional oil and gas research and consultation timetable announced on 8 October 2015 will provide opportunities for stakeholder and community involvement at every stage. Stakeholders will be invited to participate in workshops to feed into the Publi…

4 Nov 2015 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking to improve the speed of server access from members' regional offices.

27 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27892 by Joe FitzPatrick on 27 October 2015, what the reasons were for the delay in answering question (a) S4W-25126, (b) S4W-25128 and (c) S4W-25129.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: In developing our comprehensive research programme we have listened to representations from a broad range of stakeholders and communities. We will continue to listen to the widest possible range of views and voices in progressing our precautionary, evidence-l…

27 Oct 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of onshore coal and gas extraction licensing.

27 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Scottish Enterprise and others will assess the economic impact of mothballing the steel plants in Lanarkshire on the local supply chain and community.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: In response to the proposed mothballing of TATA Steel’s operations at Clydebridge and Dalzell, the First Minister established the cross-party, multi-agency Scottish Steel task force and I chaired its first meeting on 29 October 2015. We agreed the Task Force'…

26 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met or plans to meet any community council or tenants and residents associations in areas for which petroleum exploration and development licences have been issued for unconventional gas extraction and underground coal gasification.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The comprehensive research programme announced on 8 October 2015 was informed by meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, and the Scottish Government will continue to meet with and listen to the widest possible range of views and voices as the process dev…

26 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the review of out-of-hours primary care services.

Answer · Shona Robison: Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie will submit his findings and recommendations from the national review of primary care out-of-hours services to me early this month (November 2015).

26 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what average fee has been set by local authorities for an application for a high hedge notice to be served, and what information it has regarding how many applicants are reimbursed.

Answer · Marco Biagi: Information about fees set by local authorities is available in the answer to question S4W-27084, answered on 3 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be foun…

14 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider asking the International Monetary Fund for assistance in renegotiating PFI/PPP contracts in the health sector.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has no plans to do so. It has already commissioned the Scottish Futures Trust to take forward work in this area.

14 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider directing its current underspend into the early repayment of PFI/PPP contracts to reduce the burden on NHS boards.

Answer · John Swinney: The fiscal DEL cash underspend for 2014-15 is being carried into the current financial year in full as planned to support the 2015-16 expenditure plans agreed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2015.

14 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on behalf of NHS boards into buying out PFI/PPP contracts.

Answer · Shona Robison: Buying out PFI contracts is often unaffordable. However, the Scottish Government is supporting NHS boards in looking at options for the future management of PFI healthcare facilities. In order to improve the value for money of historical PFI contacts, and su…

14 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to renegotiate PFI/PPP contractual payments to reduce the cost.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has commissioned the Scottish Futures Trust to examine potential ways of reducing existing PFI contract payments. In addition a review has been undertaken by the Scottish Futures Trust of a number of operational PPP contacts across Sco…

8 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24476 by Fergus Ewing on 8 October 2015, whether it will provide details of the "interested stakeholders" it will be consulting with regard to (a) fracking, (b) unconventional oil and gas extraction and (c) unconventional coal gasification.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: For further details of meetings already held, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http…

6 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26325 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, in light of the original questions receiving holding responses on 24 April 2015 and that the statement was made by the minister on 28 January 2015, by what date it will provide substantive answers to questions …

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. 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…

6 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns that it is purposely withholding substantive answers to questions regarding fracking and what action it is taking to allay these concerns.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. 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…

6 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that it will provide substantive answers before the end of the parliamentary session to all of the written questions regarding fracking that are in receipt of holding responses, and for what reason some questions that received such responses in March 20…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. 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…

6 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers a reasonable time to provide a substantive answer to a written question that has received a holding response, and how it ensures that this timescale is adhered to.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that members receive prompt, accurate responses to their questions. The target time for parliamentary questions is 10 working days when the Parliament is sitting, and 20 working days during recess. Where this t…

6 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26325 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, for what reason no update regarding fracking has been provided and what information is still being gathered by officials.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. 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…

23 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27546 by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 September 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £104 million will be allocated.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23791 on 20 January 2015. 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/parliamentar…

22 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with North Lanarkshire Council regarding the decision to revise the plans for the Ravenscraig site.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government remains committed to working with North Lanarkshire Council and other parties on options for the further redevelopment of the Ravenscraig site.

17 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02949 by the First Minister on 17 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 15), with which (a) environmental NGOs, (b) community groups, (c) industry bodies and (d) councillors or local government officials it has had meetings; when they took place, and …

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. 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/parliamentarybu…

16 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will mitigate the effect of a reduction in tax credits and in-work support in order to prevent further increases in in-work poverty.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The announced reduction in income thresholds in tax credits and work allowances in Universal Credit, along with the increase in the tax credits taper rate will affect between 200,000 and 250,000 households in Scotland. We have taken action to mitigate this a…

1 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards will be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in Kilsyth and the surrounding areas in light of reports that the closure of Drumgrew Bridge and the proposed work at the Castlecary Arches could result in an increase in traffic volume.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Drumgrew Road bridge closed to all traffic on 27 July 2015 to enable the electrification of the Edinburgh-Glasgow line as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. The bridge is expected to re-open on 31 March 2016. The M80 Glasgow to Stirling trun…

24 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration its reporter gave to the reported over 540 objections to the proposal from the public to Clean Powers Properties’ application to build an incinerator in Hamilton.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider the status of the plan, any emerging po…

24 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported proximity to homes and schools, for what reason its reporter approved Clean Powers Properties’ application to build an incinerator in Hamilton.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Town and Country Planning Scotland Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider the status of the plan, any emerging poli…

24 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria its reporters use when considering whether to overturn planning applications that have been previously rejected by local authorities.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider all the evidence submitted by parties i…

20 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the concept of public ownership of railway services in Scotland.

Answer · Derek Mackay: It is in Scotland’s interests that the Scottish Government is able to consider the full range of options for structuring our railways, within the boundaries of what is permissible under European law, including models of public ownership. However, this is not …

20 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the three most persistently running late train services embark from the area, what action it will take to improve the reliability of rail services in North Lanarkshire.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Responsibility for operating train services in North Lanarkshire rests with Abellio ScotRail.Officials from Transport Scotland meet regularly with the ScotRail alliance, to ensure that the improvement in performance remains in line with the targets set in the…

20 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Lanarkshire has decided to close out-of-hours GP services in Wishaw, and in light of the board failing to meet its interim waiting time targets in August 2015, (a) what its position is on whether it considers the board's decision appropriate and (b) how it will work w…

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire commissioned a review of its primary care out-of-hours services in September 2013 with a view to enabling improvements in service delivery. Phase 1 of the review concluded in April 2014 and included extensive communication and engagement with …