Dr Alasdair Allan

6 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Epilepsy Scotland report, Epilepsy Services in Scotland, in relation to its findings regarding (a) neurology waiting times of more than a year in some NHS boards and (b) significant caseloads of more than 1,000 patients for some epilepsy specialist nurses.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02795 on 21 September 2021. 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-commi…

6 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to invest in (a) paediatric and (b) adult epilepsy specialist nurses in the next five years.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02795 on 21 September 2021. 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-commi…

6 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to (a) remobilise neurology services and (b) ensure equitable and timely access to services for everyone with a neurological condition in all regions of Scotland.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to ensure everyone with a neurological condition has timely access to care and services in all regions of Scotland. That is why we published a Neurological Care and Support – a National Framework for Action in December 2…

30 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to engage with stakeholders and communities in relation to the terms of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Preparatory work by Transport Scotland for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Services contract has begun but remains at an early stage. We are committed to ensure that views and perspectives of key stakeholders and communities are considered, reflected upon…

24 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will introduce legislation to modernise crofting law.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: A decision on the timing of a Bill will be taken by Cabinet in the context of setting the content of future legislative programmes in the normal way.

2 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) cars and (b) motorhomes have been transported by CalMac in each year since 2007-08 on the (i) Stornoway to Ullapool, (ii) Ullapool to Stornoway, (iii) Lochmaddy to Tarbert, (iv) Lochmaddy to Uig, (v) Tarbert to Lochmaddy, (vi) Tarbert to Uig, (vii) Uig to Tarbert, (viii) Mal…

Answer · Graeme Dey: A file with the number of passengers, cars, and commercial vehicles and buses on selected Caledonian MacBrayne routes has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 62608). The Scottish Government does not hold information on the …

30 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the passenger carrying capacity is for each (a) CalMac Ferries and (b) NorthLink Ferries vessel with 1m+ social distancing measures in place, and how this compares with normal passenger carrying capacity with no social distancing restrictions.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The carrying capacity of vessels under physical distancing requirements is dependent upon the individual layout, including access and egress arrangements. The table below provides information on the normal passenger carrying capacity of the vessels used on th…

30 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider ferry service timetable changes to enable the use of the mezzanine deck on the MV Hebrides.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The use of the mezzanine deck on MV Hebrides is a primarily an operational decision for CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). CFL continue to engage with the communities and businesses who use the service regarding the use of the mezzanine deck and the potential impacts …

20 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken within secondary schools to raise awareness of suicide prevention and the availability of mental health support.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. We are committed to improving support for children and young people’s mental health, in order to ensure early intervention and prevention of suic…

9 Jul 2021 · Written Question

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

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As previously set out in the Chamber, Scottish Government will take forward a comprehensive review of the arrangements in place for provision of financial support for patient travel. This review will take full account of the matters raised by Members. Regret…

9 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how climate change, and any subsequent rise in sea levels, might impact on island communities' (a) transport infrastructure, (b) housing and (c) agriculture, and what action it is taking in the lead-up to the COP26 to help ensure that these communities are future-proofed against this.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises that the global climate emergency will pose particular challenges for island communities. Our response is guided by the best available scientific evidence, including the latest independent expert assessment of the impacts of…

24 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to chartering the MV Arrow to enhance freight capacity on the Stornoway-Ullapool route.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Ministers have tasked CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to seek out potential charter opportunities and the MV Arrow is one vessel that is being considered.

24 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the anticipated end to most requirements for physical distancing from 9 August 2021 will apply to ferries, and what plans are being made to prepare for this, including to ensure that the booking system is able to make equitable provision for islanders and tourists.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The First Minister announced on 22 June that on 9 August, subject to confirmation nearer the time, all physical distancing requirements will be removed. Ferry operators have been planning for the removal of physical distancing in order to increase passenger…

23 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of the UK Government’s announcement that it would rule out COVID-19 appeals on non-domestic properties on 25 March 2021, and introduce a £1.5 billion discretionary relief scheme, in England.

Answer · Tom Arthur: On 25 March 2021 the UK Government committed to ruling out COVID-19 appeals on non-domestic properties in England. It concurrently announced a new Business Rates relief fund of £1.5 billion for businesses affected by COVID-19 outside the retail, hospitality, …

21 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the three “harassment” reports that were published in March.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has carefully considered the findings of the review by Laura Dunlop QC, James Hamilton’s Ministerial Code inquiry and the Scottish Parliament Harassment Committee’s report and is publishing its composite response today.

10 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to update the guidance for seating at weddings to take account of the indoor hospitality numbers at COVID-19 protection levels 1 and 0.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The guidance is up to date which specifies the seating arrangements at weddings in levels 1 and 0.

9 Jun 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve support for victims of crime.

2 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what lessons will be learned from the incident over the weekend of 29 May 2021, which saw 17 lorries left behind in Stornoway due to a shortage of freight capacity.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Since becoming Minister for Transport, I have prioritised issues on our ferry networks. I have met with senior CalMac representatives to provide support and with local MSPs (25 May) to hear their concerns. I have agreed to continue with regular dialogue given…

21 May 2021 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the ongoing disruption to lifeline ferry routes served by CalMac.

15 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent supporting communities affected by COVID-19 in the last year.

15 Mar 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is regarding the impact on Scotland of reported figures indicating that the barriers and uncertainty created by Brexit have had an impact on commercial activity between the UK and Europe.

11 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government  whether it will provide an update on progress in delivering the National Islands Plan.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: One of the first provisions introduced by the ground-breaking Island (Scotland) Act 2018 was a duty on Scottish Ministers to prepare a National Islands Plan. From April to July 2019, we consulted widely on what was important to our island communities. The res…

11 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) Evaluation Report will be published, and how Scottish Ministers plan to utilise the findings of the Evaluation to inform the Scottish Government’s future ferry fares policy.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Ferries Plan 2013-2022, published in 2012, committed to rolling out RET on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network within the term of that Parliament. Reports evaluating the impact of RET for each of the pilots from 2008 to 2014 are availabl…

11 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to respond to the information provided through its public consultation on the recommendations made by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee in its opinion on the welfare of animals during transport.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining high standards of animal welfare and to enhancing them sustainably. To that end we consulted on FAWC’s recommendations between 4 December 2020 and? 26 February 2021. We agree that all journeys have impacts …

10 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations Police Scotland is making for the reintroduction of COVID-19 local restriction levels.

4 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing COVID-19 lateral flow device testing for the crews of Marine Scotland vessels.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Marine Scotland are committed to providing a COVID 19 secure environment for all staff including those working on board vessels at sea. Strict control measures are in place to help ensure that staff are protected when on board. Marine Scotland continue to ac…

2 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to enhance the capacity of the Crofting Commission.

2 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when local authorities will be able to make payments to businesses eligible for support from the Bed and Breakfasts Paying Council Tax Grant.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35651 on? 15 March 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness…

2 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in relation to its Coronavirus (COVID-19) review of its international development programme, announced on 1 September 2020.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I indicated to Parliament last year that I would return in early 2021 to make a statement providing an update on the results of the Scottish Government’s review of its approach to international development in light of COVID-19. I appreciate, however, that the…

26 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the £1.3 million allocated to the Complex Mesh Removal Surgical Service during 2021-22.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service was designated in July last year, supported by £5.1 million of Scottish Government funding over three years. This included £1.9 million for 2021-22. However, in light of Covid-19 and the impact this is having on activi…