John Wilson

20 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04445 by Shona Robison on 10 June 2015, on what date it last met the board of NHS Lanarkshire.

Answer · Shona Robison: Scottish Government officials attended NHS Lanarkshire's Annual Review on 25 August and I chaired the regular meeting of NHS Board Chairs including the Chair of NHS Lanarkshire on 31 August.

11 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to encourage the use of rail freight services.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government recognises that the rail freight industry has a vital role to play in delivering economic and environmental benefits for Scotland. Through our refreshed rail freight strategy, due for public consultation in the autumn, we are working w…

11 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last carried out a review of rail freight services.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland is currently undertaking a widespread review as part of work to refresh the rail freight strategy and will launch a public consultation on this in the autumn. The strategy will set out our approach to supporting a sustainable rail freight i…

11 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the Minister for Transport and Islands and (b) government officials has/have had with Peter D Stirling Ltd regarding planning applications.

Answer · Alex Neil: No meetings have been held between the current Minister for Transport and Islands and Peter D Stirling Ltd regarding planning applications. Transport Scotland officials met with P.D. Stirling Ltd on two occasions, to discuss alternative access routes to serve…

4 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent Scottish SPCA strategic review, which noted that the average fine for animal abuse is £139 and the average community service sentence is 3.2 days, what its position is on the need for stricter penalties for animal abusers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The question of penalties for animal cruelty offences was the subject of a recent petition to the Scottish Parliament. In my response to the Public Petitions Committee I explained that the maximum penalty available is 12 months imprisonment and/or a £20,000 f…

4 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the Scottish SPCA to ensure that it has adequate resources and means to carry out its work in relation to animal abuse.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish SPCA receives no Government funding. I understand that all of its funding - £14.4 millon in 2014 comes from bequests, memberships and donations. However, the Scottish Government strongly supports the work of the SPCA in dealing with animal abuse.…

23 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve the number of people on the autistic spectrum taking up a modern apprenticeship with it.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is working in partnership to ensure intensive support and training for modern apprenticeship applicants on the autistic spectrum and training for our managers. This is aimed at creating more employment opportunities for those on the au…

23 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people with autism are undertaking modern apprenticeships with it.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has a responsibility to their staff and their right to privacy. Due to the small number of individuals involved, it is likely that staff could be identified, therefore we cannot disclose this information.

23 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what national training Skills Development Scotland career advisors and job coaches are given in relation to supporting people on the autistic spectrum to improve their opportunities to access modern apprenticeship training.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.

23 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to minimise barriers in its recruitment and interviewing processes to improve the opportunities for people on the autistic spectrum to access modern apprenticeship training with it.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with autism through the Scottish Strategy for Autism. We are working in partnership to ensure that there is intensive support and training for modern apprenticeship applicants on the autist…

23 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support people who need continuing NHS care but cannot or will not be removed from their homes.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government policy is to support people to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, in their own homes. Anyone who needs NHS care will continue to have that care provided to them whatever the setting. Our legislation to integra…

23 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it appropriate to remove continuing care patients with old age psychiatry issues such as dementia from their homes, and whether it may be a detriment to their wellbeing.

Answer · Shona Robison: One of the key outcomes for Scotland’s second three year national dementia strategy is that people with dementia are enabled to live a good quality, safe and dignified life at home or for longer. This includes ensuring that people will be admitted into specia…

16 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and what was discussed.

Answer · Derek Mackay: I last met the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland on 10 June 2015. This was the second of two introductory meeting following my appointment as Minister for Transport and Islands, at which we discussed her role and responsibilities.

16 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the powers of the (a) Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and (b) public to take action against bus operators who fail to deliver agreed routes or withdraw or cancel services without advance notice.

Answer · Derek Mackay: I have no plans to review the existing powers of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland to take action against bus operators who fail to operate local services as registered. Bus operators are legally obliged to register local services they intend to operate…

1 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that farmers receive their common agricultural policy payments on time and whether it can guarantee that the payments will be in farmers' bank accounts on time.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is required to make Basic Payment Scheme payments by the end of June 2016. We are working hard to be able to start making payments before the end of 2015 but at this stage we cannot guarantee the timing of payments. The new common agri…

25 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-25126, S4W-25128 and S4W-25129 regarding fracking, which received holding answers on 24 April 2015.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is continuing to take a cautious, evidence-based approach to all issues relating to unconventional oil and gas. Within this context, my officials are currently gathering further information and facts on these issues, and the Scottish G…

22 Jun 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Water regarding the pollution issues reported across North Lanarkshire.

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will redress the reported imbalance between NHS boards in wealthier areas having consistently shorter waiting times than those in less wealthy areas.

Answer · Shona Robison: Firstly, all A&E departments across the country strive to achieve the four hour A&E target to ensure the safe and effective treatment of the patient – this is in no way linked to whether the NHS board is located within a wealthy area or otherwise. To support…

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that NHS Lanarkshire increases the percentage of patients seen within four hours from its current average of 88% to the target of 95%.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is supporting NHS Lanarkshire to improve its performance against the four hour target through the national unscheduled care programme. This new focused approach will be progressed by dedicated national and local teams. NHS Lanarkshire…

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will address reported longer waiting times at NHS Lanarkshire than anywhere else and ensure that people in Lanarkshire receive treatment times on a par with the rest of the country.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire has consistently exceeded the waiting time standard that 90% of patients are seen and treated within 18 weeks from initial referral since it came into effect on 31 December 2011. The latest published figures by Information Services Division on…

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports regarding waiting times management at NHS Tayside, how it will ensure greater scrutiny of NHS waiting times.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government will ensure greater scrutiny of unscheduled care waiting times targets through the National Unscheduled Care Programme. This programme, which I launched in May 2015, focuses on six essential actions to improve unscheduled care national…

9 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling the reported increase in funeral poverty.

Answer · Alex Neil : The Scottish Government recently consulted on proposals for new legislation governing burial and cremation. Funeral poverty was considered as part of this and a range of responses were received. We are currently looking at ways in which funeral-related costs …

9 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings by Quaker Social Action, which suggest that the average cost of a funeral has risen by 80% in the last decade and that 47% of applications to the social funeral fund are rejected.

Answer · Alex Neil : Powers over funeral payments will be devolved to Scottish Ministers through the recently introduced Scotland Bill. We know that there are serious problems for users and will seek to improve on what the Department of Work and Pensions has done. We will be enga…

9 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide support to the reported increasing number of people on (a) low incomes and (b) zero-hours contracts who are unable to afford funeral costs.

Answer · Alex Neil : Powers over funeral payments will be devolved to Scottish Ministers through the recently introduced Scotland Bill. We know that there are serious problems for users and will seek to improve on what the Department of Work and Pensions has done. We will be enga…

2 Jun 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when officials last met the board of NHS Lanarkshire.

27 May 2015 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of the use of business sponsorship for Parliament events.

21 Apr 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25092 by Keith Brown on 21 April 2015, whether it will provide the (a) names of each project, (b) rate of return for each project on the lower grade debt instruments used to finance them and (c) estimated completion date for each project in Central …

Answer · Keith Brown: The information requested is contained in the following table. Project Estimated Completion Date Lower grade debt return to Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) Central Scotland Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) City of Glasgow College August 2016 * Ayrshire …

20 Apr 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage individuals to use public transportation in order to reduce air pollution.

26 Mar 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who will be commissioned to carry out the public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, which was announced by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015.

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…

26 Mar 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding will be allocated to conducting the public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, which was announced by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015.

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…