Dr Alasdair Allan

17 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of industry regulation and a price cap on heating oil, in order to address cost-of-living increases for off-gas-grid consumers in rural and island areas in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I am deeply concerned by the impacts that price rises are having for off-gas-grid customers and we are determined to address the higher levels of fuel poverty found in many of Scotland’s remote rural and island areas. That is why the new fuel poverty definit…

16 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture plans to meet with (a) local MSPs and (b) other stakeholders to discuss the future of Kisimul Castle.

Answer · Neil Gray: Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters relating to Kisimul Castle are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland who have delegated responsibility for managing the properties in care. I have been informed that Historic Environment Sco…

16 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has reported to it any long-term plan for remedial works to Kisimul Castle, and what its position is on whether any agreements undertaken on this subject are being honoured by HES.

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07501 on 12 April 2022. 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-committee…

16 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Kisimul Castle in Barra will reopen to the public, and whether it has had any discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding this issue.

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07501 on 12 April 2022. 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-committee…

14 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it is making to the UK Government to ensure that Gaelic broadcasting achieves parity in statute through the broadcasting bill, which is reportedly due to be introduced in the UK Parliament.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: These matters are at an early stage and we understand that the UK Government is currently considering next steps. We are aware, however, that MG ALBA is making preparations for a possible media bill and will be meeting the Minister for State at DCMS to discus…

11 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent known rate of participation in higher education among 16- to 30-year-olds in Scotland, and how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) annually publish the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) which is an estimate of the probability that a 16 year old will participate in Higher Education by the age of 30. In 2019-20, the HEIPR for 16-30 year…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will urgently consider revising the criteria applied to insulation installations in the Western Isles, in light of reports that Tighean Innse Gall is no longer able to administer government-funded insulation projects due to the PAS 2035 standards causing demand for such scheme…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We are keen for Tighean Innse Gall to continue to help deliver insulation improvements as part of our Area Based Schemes. We’re also keen for them to retain their status as an approved installer of insulation with the British Board of Agreement. Scottish Gov…

16 Feb 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the justice secretary has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on Scotland of the Online Safety Bill.

2 Feb 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that energy companies do not discriminate against island residents in relation to the installation of smart meters in residential properties.

19 Jan 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is offered to patients and authorised escorts who need to travel significant distances for medical appointments.

18 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the impact (a) of PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 ventilation standards, such as the creation of window vents and gaps under internal doors, on homes in exposed rural and coastal areas and (b) that these new standards could have on people's willingness to have Sc…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05796 on 27 January 2022. 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-committ…

18 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider the extent to which PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 ventilation standards need to be applied in its Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS: ABS) and Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Warmer Homes Scotland (HEEPS: WHS) prog…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The British Standards Institution (BSI) standards relate to the overall approach to retrofit and general processes to be followed by installers in installing energy efficiency measures. These standards are intended to be informed by agreed best practice, as t…

11 Jan 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to ensure that islanders are represented on the boards of David MacBrayne Ltd, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd.

Answer · Graeme Dey: As Alasdair Allan is aware, since becoming Transport Minister, I have been determined to ensure the views, knowledge and experience of island residents informs the delivery of ferry and other relevant transport services. I am clear that I would very much favo…

22 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to change electricity levy schemes to tackle fuel poverty in rural and island areas of the north of Scotland.

20 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that adequate transport links to the Isle of Harris are maintained during (a) 2022 and (b) the shoulder months while the Uig Harbour upgrade takes place.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The existing Uig-Tarbert ferry timetable will be maintained in 2022, with formalised deployment of the mezzanine decks to ensure the timetable can be delivered within the operational challenges. We have asked CalMac to continue to closely monitor the route an…

16 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that only a small amount of people have engaged a local provider to apply for their R100 interim voucher, what communication it has made with eligible households in the Western Isles to inform them of the impending deadline for doing so.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The interim voucher portion of the Reaching 100% Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (R100 SBVS) has been extended by three months, taking the closure date from 31 December 2021 to 31 March 2022. This extension was announced via a news release and Digital Scotl…

10 Dec 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff.

Answer · Angus Robertson: On 19 November 2021, the Welsh Government hosted a summit meeting of the British-Irish Council. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all of the Member Administrations with Guernsey joining virtually, and was chaired by the First Minister of Wales. The F…

2 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how a commissioning model for the National Care Service would account for a situation where the majority of services available to commission are those provided by one organisation, for example, by a local authority. 

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The consultation on the National Care Service closed on 2 November 2021. We are currently analysing the consultation responses and will develop specific policy proposals, including on commissioning, once that analysis has been completed. There is a commitme…

1 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its policies across government will support island communities to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

23 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what areas of activity of David MacBrayne Ltd and CalMac Ferries would typically be considered appropriate for an Island Communities Impact Assessment under the duties of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

Answer · Graeme Dey: David MacBrayne Ltd is a Relevant Authority under the Islands Act. It is for individual bodies to consider their responsibilities under the Act when carrying out their activities. CalMac Ferries ltd is not listed as a Relevant Authority in the Act, and is t…

23 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it anticipates the new SpeakGaelic language learning initiative will help increase the number of people speaking Gaelic and make learning the language more accessible.

22 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to the UK Government in response to reports that some businesses in Scotland are facing difficulties supplying smoked salmon direct to customers in the EU via mail order, with shipments, sometimes with accompanying health certificates, being delayed or re…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has a number of ways to engage with UK Government on trade matters and has championed the interests of Scottish seafood exporters throughout the EU exit and trade negotiations process. That work continues through the Scottish Seafood I…

18 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date its review of arrangements for the provision of financial support for patient travel will commence.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This comprehensive review is a substantial exercise for the Scottish Government and NHS Boards and, regrettably, has been delayed due to prioritisation of our ongoing response to the pandemic and remobilisation of services. The review will take full account o…

3 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to help address the reported concerns of people living in Uig, Lewis, regarding mobile signal and 4G access, in light of reports of difficulties in getting EE to facilitate repairs to their local masts more timeously.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government are aware of a technical issue which affect EE 4G mobile telecoms access in Uig, Lewis. Scottish Government officials have been in regular contact with EE for the duration of the issue. We understand this issue has taken longer to res…

2 Nov 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation is being undertaken with communities regarding next year’s summer timetable for ferry routes within the CalMac network.

27 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when local authorities will be informed of the Scottish Crown Estate Net Revenue allocation for 2021-22.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The next round of allocations will be confirmed and dispersed to local authority areas shortly. We will provide further information once the allocations have been confirmed.

27 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote Scottish literature in schools.

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to townships that are trying to improve the condition of their primary road to a point where it can be adopted by the local authority.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads, including the improvement of private roads to adoptable standards, on local authorities. Townships should approach their local authority roads department in the first instance …

13 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin consulting on a cap on fishing activity in inshore waters.

8 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce "bairns’ hooses".