Parliamentary questions

Stuart McMillan

787 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

31 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the operation of the ISO55000 standard, and whether it has been included in discussions regarding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government regarding the operation of ISO 55000. The Scottish Government is seeking to engage with the UK Government on a broad range of issues which will arise after the UK’s exit from the Europ…

31 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many non-Scottish Government public agencies operating in Scotland do so using the ISO55000 standard.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The information required is not held centrally.

31 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Government agencies operate using the ISO55000 standard.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Scottish Government does not keep records of those agencies choosing to operate ISO 55000. However, we are aware that, Transport Scotland is working towards external accreditation to ISO 55000.

31 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to (a) businesses and (b) public agencies on operating using the ISO55000 standard.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government does not provide guidance to businesses in respect of operating ISO 55000. Public agencies are expected however to act in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual which includes guidance on the management of assets but does n…

18 Dec 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to promote road safety over the festive period.

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has to meet the (a) chief medical officer and (b) Secretary of State for Health to discuss the announcement by the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) to stop routine trans-vaginal mesh implants in England, and whether t…

Answer · Shona Robison: NICE undertook a public consultation on revised mesh guidance, and guidance was published on Friday 15 December. NICE IPP guidance applies across the UK, including in Scotland, and the Chief Medical Officer has therefore written to all Health Boards, alerting…

15 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the teaching of STEM subjects in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency.

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Pupil Equity Fund can be used to assist pupils with dyslexia.

Answer · John Swinney: Headteachers are expected to work in partnership with each other, and their local authority, to agree the use of their Pupil Equity Funding. They must take account of the statutory responsibilities of the authority to deliver educational improvement, secure b…

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils have been diagnosed with dyslexia in each of the last five years, and what information is has on how many were (i) offered the necessary assistance to stay at school and (ii) taken out of school to be home taught because it was felt …

Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Scottish Government does collect data on the number of pupils supported in school because of dyslexia. Data on number of pupils supported because of dyslexia in primary and secondary school – 201…

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils are being taught in schools in neighbouring local authorities because it is felt that they are more effective in dealing with dyslexia.

Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not held centrally.

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the EIS regarding the provision of dyslexia training (a) for (i) trainee and (ii) probationary teachers and (b) as part of teachers' ongoing professional learning development.

Answer · John Swinney: We regularly discuss teacher education and professional learning with the EIS and they are members of the Strategic Board for Teacher Education. The Scottish Government has not had any specific discussions with the EIS regarding the provision of dyslexia trai…

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how trainee teachers are taught about dealing with dyslexia.

Answer · John Swinney: All courses of Initial Teacher Education are accredited and approved by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) as the independent, regulatory body for the teaching profession. The GTCS will only grant accreditation if they are satisfied that the con…

1 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it offers to dog owners who use farmland to exercise their pets.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Outdoor Access Code requires dogs to be kept on a short lead or under close control in fields where livestock are present. The Code also requires people with dogs to avoid fields containing lambs, calves or other young animals, and fields contain…

30 Oct 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of reports that Macmillan Cancer Support is acting to combat so-called fake news regarding health conditions, what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that people are not misled by fake medical information online.

18 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NUS Scotland regarding protecting students from exploitative private rental agreements.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: I want to be clear that I am very concerned that anyone could be exploited by private rental agreements. It leaves people open to exploitation and possible abuse and is an unacceptable practice. On 5 June 2017 I wrote in June to the President of NUS Scotland…

2 Oct 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the disclosure scheme for domestic abuse, Clare's Law, has worked during its two years in practice.

26 Sep 2017 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the continuity of maternity care recommendations contained in The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Best Start: A Five Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland contains a number of recommendations for the introduction of a continuity of carer and local delivery of care model of care. The review states that Early Adopter NHS Boards s…

13 Sep 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to implementing a European-style ticketing model for rail travel.

6 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to companies selling products that improve energy efficiency and tackle climate change.

4 Sep 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what assurances the Scottish Government has received regarding the transfer of powers to Scotland following Brexit.

30 Aug 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to local festivals.

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in dyslexia (a) awareness training, (b) training for student teachers and (c) education services in each of the last four years.

Answer · John Swinney: In each of the last four years (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17), the Scottish Government has provided a grant of £100k to Dyslexia Scotland. This year (2017-18) the Scottish Government has doubled that grant to £200k. This is provided to Dyslexia Sco…

13 Jun 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the health secretary has met the new chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and, if so, what was discussed.

30 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how National Galleries Scotland helps to promote culture and tourism in Inverclyde.