Parliamentary questions
Claire Baker
1,724 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to bring forward proposals for reforming governance arrangements for public ferry contracts before 30 September 2025.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Work is currently underway to establish the governance arrangements necessary to ensure that Calmac would meet the definition of a Teckal compliant body in advance of the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract being put in place by 1 October 2025.
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the 2025 objectives are for reform of the tripartite governance arrangement between Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and David MacBrayne Ltd.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I wrote to the convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work committee on 19 December 2024. The letter noted that work is currently underway to ensure that Calmac would meet the definition of a Teckal compliant body in advance of the new C…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates the ongoing review of the business case for the redevelopment of Ardrossan harbour will conclude.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government remain committed to ensuring the Arran ferry service is fit for the future, and to finding a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost effective way, reflecting the needs of all of the partners involved. We understand and s…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the National Transport Strategy Fourth Delivery Plan, whether it will list the ferry task forces that it is supporting to prepare robust business cases ahead of the commencement of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service 3 (CHFS3) contract on 1 October 2025.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The task forces referred to in the National Transport Strategy’s Fourth Delivery Plan are the Shetland and Orkney Ferry Replacement Task Forces. Further information is available on the Transport Scotland website: Ferry Services Managed by Transport Scot…
16 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the terms of reference of the Retail Industry Leadership Group are being reviewed to better incorporate smaller businesses, and when any revised terms of reference will be published.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Retail Industry Leadership Group, co-chaired by myself and Polly Jones, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, Asda, is in the process of finalising a refreshed Terms of Reference (ToR) to better reflect the ongoing work of the Group. All members have had the…
16 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Retail Industry Leadership Group has made on delivering its priority objectives, including a (a) Fair Work Agreement, (b) Just Transition Plan and (c) skills audit and action plan for the sector.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The priorities of the ILG will flex and take account of changing economic and policy circumstances, but will continue to develop actions in the Retail Strategy on:(a) Fair Work -The Industry Leadership Group will take forward the action on Fair Work, working …
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the report, Dignity for Drivers, by ASLEF, what impact the proposed reductions in ScotRail station ticket office opening hours will have on driver access to toilet facilities.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: ScotRail stations will continue to offer access to Facilities and toilets used by the public and in most cases will remain open even when ticket offices are shut.
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when CalMac will begin the crew familiarisation process on the MV (a) Isle of Islay and (b)Loch Indaal.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: CMAL is in constant dialogue with CalMac on the new vessels programme and the crew familiarisation process on the MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal will begin once the vessels have been transited from Türkiye to Scotland.
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-02170 by Fiona Hyslop on 5 November 2024, what its response is to reported concerns that the "redeployment of some ScotRail staff to provide more and better assistance for passengers" might lead to staff sometimes being moved from the station at whi…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Staff deployment is an operational matter for ScotRail as the employer.It is incumbent on ScotRail and Scottish Rail Holdings to demonstrate that aims set out it their proposals to adjust the opening hours of some of ScotRail ticket offices can be achieved.
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the report, Dignity for Drivers, by ASLEF, what steps it is taking in Scotland to address the issue raised suggesting that there is a lack of satisfactory toilet facilities for train drivers.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31539 on 6 December 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committe…
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when CMAL will take delivery of the MV (a) Isle of Islay and (b) Loch Indaal.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: CMAL alongside the shipyard continue to work hard to ensure the delivery of these vessels. CMAL provided their regular update to the NZET committee on the vessel delivery on 18th December 2024 and expect to be able to provide assessment of delivery dates for …
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-02170 by Fiona Hyslop on 5 November 2024, what its response is to reported concerns that the "redeployment of some ScotRail staff to provide more and better assistance for passengers" and a reduction in ScotRail ticket office opening hours, might af…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Whilst this is an operational matter for ScotRail, ScotRail has assured the Scottish Government that staffed stations will continue to offer access to assets as they do at present. Facilities and toilets used by the public in most cases will remain open even …
11 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken across the rail network in Scotland to improve access to good quality toilet facilities for (a) drivers, (b) train crew, (c) track workers and (d) other staff.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government notes the report commissioned by ASLEF and its findings. Every worker should be able to work with dignity and this includes having an access to toilet facilities. The report findings are for train operating companies, as employers to c…
10 Dec 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase active patient registrations with NHS dentists.
27 Nov 2024 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve rail services forpassengers in the Mid Scotland and Fife region.
22 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will reach a decision regarding extending the terms of reference for the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Following the Bayoh family’s request to extend the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference, the Government started the process of gathering views, including consulting with the Chair of the Inquiry.All relevant matters will be given full and careful consider…
11 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with its consultation regarding the legal age of marriage.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: We continue to make progress on this consultation. As well as the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership, it will cover a wide range of areas: extending simplified divorce and dissolution procedures; qualifying requirements for religious and belief bod…
30 Oct 2024 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring adequate provision of enterprise support to businesses in the Mid Scotland and Fife region.
16 Sep 2024 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with Harland & Wolff regarding the future of its construction yards at Methil and Arnish.
11 Sep 2024 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is improving access to NHS dentistry for patients in the Mid Scotland and Fife region.
23 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to monitor changes in rail passenger activity following the end of the ScotRail peak fares removal pilot on 27 September 2024.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: ScotRail Trains Ltd routinely monitors patronage on its services to identify trends, opportunities and to best match its resources with the passenger demand. Following the Ministerial decision to end the 12 month trial removing peak fares, the Scottish Govern…
23 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how information on the ScotRail peak fares removal pilot was targeted at (a) those on lower incomes and (b) non-rail users.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The purpose of ScotRail peak fares removal pilot is to encourage modal shift from car to rail, therefore any information promoted by ScotRail aimed to target people who commuted by car and encouraged them to switch to rail.ScotRail was actively promoting rail…
23 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16692 by Natalie Don on 27 April 2023, whether it will provide an update on how it has progressed towards its commitment to deliver free breakfasts for all (a) primary and (b) special school children.
Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government remains committed to developing plans to deliver free breakfasts to all primary and special school children.The Scottish Government worked with AssistFM and the Improvement Service from September 2023 to June 2024 to map breakfast prov…
10 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current national school clothing grant level is for eligible (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils; when the most recent increase to the grants took place, and when the next increase to the grants is due to take place.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The national minimum school clothing grant is £120 per annum for primary pupils, and £150 for secondary pupils. The Scottish Government has increased funding for local authorities to £13.9 million in the 2024-25 financial year. This includes an inflationary …
5 Jun 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Fife Council will be given assistance under the Bellwin Scheme.
23 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data collection it is undertaking in relation to violence within consensual sexual activity, including on the prevalence of choking.
Answer · Angela Constance: As outlined in the answer to question S6W-15943 on 21 March 2023, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) includes a module on sexual victimisation, which produces estimates of adults’ experiences of different types of sexual assault. At present this doe…
23 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to raise awareness among the public of the risks of choking during consensual sexual activity.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not currently have any plans for specific public health awareness raising relating to the risks associated with choking during consensual sexual activity. Through our existing channels we will explore opportunities to discuss thes…
23 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS representatives regarding the risks of choking during consensual sexual activity, including in relation to guidance issued to medical professionals.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is aware of the guidelines issued by the Institute For Addressing Strangulation that have been endorsed by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Non-Fatal-Strangulation-Guidelines_AcuteEmergency_Feb24.pdf (ifas.org.uk) . …
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government within what radius of distance from an incident community first responders trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service are asked to assist.
Answer · Neil Gray: Community First Responders generally respond to calls within a designated geographical area known as a polygon. The polygon is agreed between the Community First Responder scheme and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The size of the polygon may vary from scheme…
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government with what types of emergency call community first responders trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service are trained to assist.
Answer · Neil Gray: Community First Responders (CFRs) are trained to operate within a clinically approved Scope of Practice. CFRs can be asked to attend a range of urgent and emergency medical emergencies including cardiac arrests, chest pains, breathing difficulties, strokes, c…