Roderick Campbell

12 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with BT regarding increased broadband connectivity in North East Fife.

Answer · Alex Neil: Throughout the development of Scotland’s Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan, published on 31 January 2012, and subsequent Procurement Plan published on 25 May 2012, the principal focus of the Scottish Government’s discussions with BT has been to ascer…

11 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to clarify the status of sheltered housing in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 following the recent consultation on its definition of relevant premises.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: An analysis of the responses to the recent consultation on the definition of “relevant premises” and the steps the Government intends to take as a result was published in May and is available on the Scottish Government website at the following address http://…

25 Jun 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues were discussed at the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Council.

13 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the potential health benefits, whether it will meet the Scottish Football Association to discuss introducing a summer football season.

Answer · Shona Robison: We hold regular discussions with the Scottish FA on a wide range of issues. The women’s and youth game have successfully moved to a summer season and I understand the Scottish FA will commission a study into the feasibility of changing the current football sc…

8 Jun 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, as part of its major events strategy, what discussions it has had with the Scottish Football Association regarding a possible bid for the UEFA Euro 2020 football championships.

Answer · Shona Robison: We have had some initial discussions with the SFA, following media speculation that a bid might be in the offing. The SFA have confirmed that they have had initial discussions on the principle of a joint bid with both Wales and the Republic of Ireland and ha…

6 Jun 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made regarding the introduction of a shingles vaccination for all 70 to 79-year-olds.

28 May 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of the economic impact on the area, what representations the Scottish Government is making to the UK Government regarding the transition of RAF Leuchars to an army base.

23 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the merger of Elmwood College, Barony College, Oatridge College and the Scottish Agricultural College will be complete.

Answer · Michael Russell: I hope to announce my decision shortly on the request by these institutions that I approve their merger.

23 May 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is regarding the review of community planning partnerships.

23 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to provide additional support for the learning of eastern European languages across the country.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Languages Working Group Report, Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach, published on 17 May, makes a series of recommendations to boost language learning in Scotland based on the mother tongue + 2 additional languages model. The Report states that …

18 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recommendation in the report, Improving Pharmaceutical Care in Care Homes, regarding developing national guidance to ensure efficient working practices in managing repeat medicines, including the supply and administration of medication in care homes for older p…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The recommendation is consistent with work being undertaken through the Prescribing Workstream of the NHSScotland Efficiency and Productivity Programme. A key part of this workstream is to develop guidance and support tools to improve the quality and efficien…

16 May 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to providing financial assistance toward living costs for those studying for a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.

15 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the implementation of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 on the sale and display of tobacco products.

Answer · Michael Matheson: While industry legal challenges have resulted in delays to the display and vending machine bans, a number of new controls on the sale of tobacco, came into force with effect from 1 April 2011 and 1 October 2011. These are: A registration scheme for tobacco …

15 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its approach to tackling skin cancer, whether it will discuss with the UK Government the possibility of abolishing VAT on sun cream.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has no current plans to discuss, with the UK Government, the reduction or abolition of Value Added Tax on sun screens and sun block.

10 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that its policies for the aquaculture and fishing industries take account of the impact of climate change on the marine environment.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Following the publication of the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment in January, the Scottish Government is now preparing a Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. This is a requirement of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and it is anticipated that …

11 Apr 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the UK Government's proposal to increase VAT on static caravans, whether it will make representations to it on this matter, given the possible impact on tourism in Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: Since 2007, the Scottish Government has made regular representations to the UK Government regarding how the disparity in VAT rates between the UK and many European countries continues to place our tourism and hospitality sectors at a clear competitive disadva…

27 Mar 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the option on page 69 of Scottish elections 2007: The independent review of the Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections 3 May 2007 of introducing advance voting.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The possibility of introducing advance voting was discussed at the joint Scottish Government and Local Government and Communities Committee seminar on voter turnout which was held in Parliament on 4 June 2010. It was also included in the Scottish Government’s…

23 Mar 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce the routine use of antibiotics in agriculture.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Veterinary medicines are a reserved matter. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, an Executive Agency of Defra, is the regulatory authority in the UK for the authorisation, marketing and use of all veterinary medicines including antibiotics. I can assure you…

19 Mar 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what impact possible changes by the UK Government to regional pay awards would have in Scotland.

6 Feb 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence regarding the establishment of a multi-role brigade at Leuchars.

19 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review announced in 2010.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The UK Government has not yet published its proposed changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with the Ministry of Justice and the most recent meeting was on 23 January 2012.

11 Jan 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the findings of the consultation on post-16 education reform.

14 Dec 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is evaluating the capacity for telehealth to aid mainstream health provision following the recommendation by Audit Scotland in its report, A Review of Telehealth in Scotland.

7 Dec 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009, as amended by the 2011 regulations.

23 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to encourage cycle lanes in rural areas to allow safe transit to public transport hubs.

Answer · Keith Brown: In Scotland, we have over 2,000 miles of National Cycle Network, including in rural areas and to some public transport hubs. Since 2007, the government has invested over £83 million in cycling infrastructure, in both urban and rural areas, and this provides a…

16 Nov 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has received from the UK Government to its representations on reductions to feed-in tariffs from solar panels.

26 Oct 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive and National Farmers Union Scotland with regard to reducing workplace fatality rates in agriculture.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is committed to a significant reduction in the rate of fatalities amongst Scotland’s farming communities. Scottish Government officials met recently with the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives…

19 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to the UK Government regarding the implementation of new regulations to prevent ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have expressed my concern about the further delay in commencement of the new regulations on ship-to-ship oil transfers and requested clarification from the UK Government on the reasons for this delay. I have also repeated my call to the Secretary of State f…

14 Sep 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much farmland is leased to Forestry Commission Scotland.

31 Aug 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it expects to receive a report on the independent review of college governance.