Dave Thompson

1 Feb 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential environmental impact if the Cromarty Firth Port Authority’s application for ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Cromarty Firth is granted.

19 Jan 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be the value of education to children and young people.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The value of education to children and young people is infinite. We need Scottish education to deliver both excellence in terms of ensuring children and young people acquire a broad range of skills and capacities at the highest levels, whilst also delivering …

5 Jan 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports and promotes participation in Highland sports, including shinty and Highland games' heavy events.

26 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of (a) its distance from the headquarters of Highland Council, (b) the area having similar issues in relation to remoteness as Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an lar, (c) its Gaelic culture and (d) its reliance on ferry services, what its position is on Skye, Lochalsh and Lo…

Answer · Marco Biagi: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28709 on 9 December 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 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether provision can be made in the proposed Islands Bill to establish Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber as a local authority in its own right.

Answer · Marco Biagi: As indicated when I met the member on 5 November 2015, the Scottish Government has no current plans to restructure local government in Scotland. Instead, we are working with local government to look at ways to improve performance and efficiency. We are also s…

26 Oct 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional powers over tax it considers should be devolved.

28 Sep 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the closure of rural schools and nurseries.

24 Aug 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that enough is being done to tackle prejudice towards people with faith.

3 Jun 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing in the Highlands to ensure that NHS infrastructure is fit for the 21st century.

5 Mar 2015 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in respect of the speed limit review.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland has been progressing with the speed limit reductions identified in the speed limit review since it was published in late 2012. Progress has been good and nine of the orders are complete and in place. Consultation on others has been progress…

26 Jan 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data have been gathered on safety following the introduction of average speed cameras on the A9.

12 Jan 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Ofcom to discuss broadcasting.

8 Dec 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that disruption as a result of cold weather this week is kept to a minimum.

2 Dec 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific anti-poverty measures it considers are needed to support people in the Highlands.

5 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the details of future common agricultural policy payments to farmers and crofters will be known.

27 Oct 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on people in the Highlands and Islands having to pay a 2p-per-unit electricity transmission surcharge.

1 Oct 2014 · General Question

To ask what the Scottish Government what progress has been made on replacing the two hospitals on Skye.

11 Aug 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the need for innovative thinking when planning new justice-related buildings.

28 Jul 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be a notable Commonwealth Games legacy to the more remote areas of the country.

28 May 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the models for GP practices in rural areas.

26 May 2014 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that the Royal Mail has called into question its ability to fulfil the universal service obligation and what the impact could be on rural communities.

23 Apr 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve patient transport on Skye and in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government remains committed to improving access to health and social care. We are providing funding to support two model pilots to explore new approaches to the provision and integration of health and social care transport. One of these is acros…

6 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to preserve Gaelic buildings in (a) Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and (b) the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Historic Scotland does not distinguish between buildings associated with Gaelic-speakers and English-speakers in its designation work. In terms of buildings in traditionally Gaelic-speaking areas, we invest in a number of properties in care which are open to …

6 Aug 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the report, The hardest hit: Going beyond the mean, what discussions it has had with the UK Government about the impact of the UK Government's energy policies on Scottish households with electric heating.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has a full programme of joint working with the UK Government, aimed at ensuring electricity market reforms, regulation and legislation protect the long-term interests of all Scottish consumers. In addition, earlier this year Scottish …

27 Jun 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a decision on which  bidders will be invited to tender for the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise.

Answer · Keith Brown: I can confirm that under the rules of the pre-qualification questionnaire competition Arriva Night Trains Ltd, Serco Ltd and First Caledonian Sleeper Ltd are shortlisted to receive the Invitation to Tender for the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise.

10 Jun 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on attracting GPs to rural practices.

13 May 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports Gaelic further and higher education.

15 Apr 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what share of the Scottish economy pension and welfare costs account for and how this compares with their share of the UK economy.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government published Scotland’s Balance Sheet on 14 April. This shows that, in 2011-12, social protection expenditure, which includes pension and welfare costs, was equivalent to 14.4% of GDP. This is lower than the equivalent UK figure of 15.9%.…

11 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the provision of healthcare in remote and rural areas.

25 Feb 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what pupil-teacher ratio it considers sufficient for effective second language learning.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The expectation is that the current maximum pupil-teacher ratios in schools will apply to second language learning. This means that in Primary 1 the maximum ratio will be 25; in Primary 2 and 3 the maximum ratio will be 30, and in Primary 4 to 7, the maximum…