Christina McKelvie

28 Oct 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the average financial benefit for households is from the council tax freeze.

24 Sep 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans for the international development small grants scheme.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government’s International Development Small Grant Scheme will be launched on 7 October 2013 by the Lloyds TSB Foundation. At the launch the Lloyds TSB Foundation will provide further details on the timetable for applications. The Scheme will di…

23 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect young people using the internet.

6 Sep 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to bring forward a bill containing new measures to combat human trafficking.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Scottish trafficking legislation is kept under review and the Scottish Government will respond as appropriate to any developments to reflect our commitment to tackle this crime. Trafficking is an international and cross border crime and a partnership approach…

26 Aug 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help people into employment.

26 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the protection of seabirds in the marine protected areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16103 on 5 August 2013. 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 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the black guillemot is the only seabird included in the proposed marine protected areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The only species of seabird in Scotland not covered by Special Protection Areas provisions of the EU Wild Birds Directive is the Black Guillemot. Consequently nature conservation possible MPAs have been identified for consultation, under the Marine (Scotland)…

26 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the remits of the proposed marine protected areas to include more species of seabirds.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Marine Protected Area (MPA) network will include designations under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, EU Habitats Directive, EU Wild Birds Directive, and marine components of Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). There are currently 47 Special Prot…

3 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to people with motor neurone disease.

8 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered developing wider marine spatial planning for the protection of all species of whales and dolphins.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government considers the protection of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), wherever they are found in waters around Scotland, a high priority. They already have strict protection under the EU Habitats Directive and it is an offence to…

8 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on developing search locations for (a) minke whales, (b) Risso’s dolphins and (c) white-beaked dolphins in marine protected areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: For Minke whale there are two search locations, Southern Trench and Skye to Mull. For Risso's dolphin there is one search location, Eye Peninsula to Butt of Lewis. And for White-beaked dolphin there is also one search location, Southern Trench. Habitat mode…

8 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to include dolphins and killer whales in the remit of the proposed marine protected areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Guidelines for selecting and developing MPAs list the species and habitats for which the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies’ have recommended that MPAs are an appropriate conservation measure. Risso's dolphin, and White-beaked dolphin are included. Sear…

8 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on setting up the 33 proposed nature conservation marine protected areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I reported progress on the development of a Scottish Network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to Parliament in December 2012, based on the scientific advice to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.…

1 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to investment in robotic surgery.

Answer · Alex Neil: The National Planning Forum has established a sub-group with the remit, “to look at the case for robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery in Scotland and consider whether the evidence is sufficiently robust to take forward implementation in Scotland in a planne…

1 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve awareness of prostate cancer to promote early detection.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although the Detect Cancer Early Programme focuses on breast, lung and colorectal cancers, an initial priming phase of campaigning included ra…

1 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether prostate cancer is included in the early detection strategy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although directed at lung, breast and colorectal cancers in the first instance, early diagnosis and high quality treatment and care for all pa…

8 Apr 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent analysis it has carried out on the affordability of pension and social welfare costs in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

19 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to organisations that use drama to raise awareness of social issues.

18 Mar 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is using its International Development Fund to support Malawi.

18 Feb 2013 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what implications the agreement on the EU financial framework for 2014 to 2020 has for the allocation of structural funds in Scotland.

11 Feb 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its international development plan.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Work is underway to develop proposals for international development with independence. That will of course inform the White Paper on Independence to be published later this year. I would encourage others to take this opportunity to consider how Scotland’s va…

30 Jan 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it considers studying abroad brings to (a) students, (b) school pupils, (c) academic institutions and (d) the economy.

Answer · Michael Russell: Studying abroad can open up opportunities for any young person, whatever stage of life and education they are at, including the chance to learn another language, experience different cultures, traditions and develop broader perspectives. Study abroad experien…

30 Jan 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage (a) students and (b) school pupils to take up offers of studying abroad that are provided by colleges and universities.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting both inward and outward student mobility. In terms of outward mobility we provide funding to the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and opportunities for Scottish students to experience studying overseas through …

30 Jan 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports (a) college and (b) university students wanting to study abroad for (i) short-term periods, (ii) an academic year and (iii) complete degree periods.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting both college and university students wanting to study abroad for varying lengths of time. Funding is given to a number of programmes to support such outward mobility activity, including: The 3 week long Stud…

12 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria Home Energy Scotland uses to categorise storage heaters as a form of central heating under the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The term "electric storage heater" is defined in the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (as in force) and includes: a free-standing storage heater; an electric fan-assisted storage warm air system; an electric wired underfloor heatin…

26 Nov 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in Lanarkshire to reduce crime.

12 Nov 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it takes to raise awareness of household dangers to young children.

5 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet NHS Lanarkshire and what will be discussed.

29 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average timescale is in which a European Arrest Warrant issued in Scotland results in an arrest.

29 Oct 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the economic benefits for Scotland are of replacing Trident.