David Stewart

24 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will invest more money to encourage the development of the longitudinal clerkship pilot project launched by NHS Highland, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the University of Dundee, and whether it will encourage other Scottish medical schools to introduce similar projects.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government welcomes the collaborative approach between NHS Highland, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the University of Dundee in relation to longitudinal clerkships which aim to give undergraduates more meaningful exposure to primary care and remot…

24 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to adding medical education as part of the new GP contract.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is continuing to work with Scotland’s five medical schools to ensure that we have a sustainable workforce for NHS Scotland. This includes working closely with universities to deliver our medical education package which will increase su…

21 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support Dingwall’s economy.

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reverse the SQA’s decision to remove the Construction Industry Training Board-delivered skills test within SVQs during apprentices' training, following reports of concern from Highlands and Islands construction companies and in light of the timescale announced for the…

Answer · John Swinney: It is for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to develop a compliant SVQ and Modern Apprenticeship framework for the sector. Following a recent meeting with representatives of the sector CITB has agreed to revise the qualification structure to inc…

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings regarding west coast ferry services (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with representatives of (i) P&O Ferries and (ii) Associated British Ports since 1 November 2016.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Ministers and officials have had no meetings about west coast ferry services with P&O since 1 November 2016. Ministers met representatives of Associated British Ports on 13 December regarding ABP’s offer to use Troon as the port for the Arran/Kintyre service…

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have applied to establish low-emission zones, and what (a) guidance and (b) support it is offering to assist them.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06502 on 6 February 2017. 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/parliamentarybusines…

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding low-emission zones.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Discussion between Transport Scotland and COSLA surrounding low-emission zones has focused on the need to locate the first low-emission zone in a meaningful location.

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what classification of vehicles will be allowed to use low-emission zones, and what charges will apply to diesel vehicles entering them.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The classification of vehicles that will be allowed to enter a low-emission zone, along with the penalty regime for a low-emission zone, will be examined during the National Low Emission Framework consultation, which will be published in mid 2017.

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the first low-emission zone will be in operation.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06502 on 6 February 2017. 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…

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) European Commission regarding the EU emission trading scheme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As indicated when I gave evidence to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee on 22 February 2017, I have already written to the UK Government setting out the Scottish Government's hope and expectation that we will continue to remain part of …

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much it has provided and (b) what initiatives it has introduced since May 2016 to (i) encourage apprenticeships, (ii) attract skilled workers and (iii) close the reported skills gap in plumbing in the Highlands and Islands since May 2016.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: All Scottish Government Ministers have been promoting Modern Apprenticeships during Scottish Apprenticeship Week with all undertaking at least one event and the First Minister visiting IA & C Maciver a small vehicle engineering company on the Isle of Lewis. …

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what types of new nuclear technologies it is considering in its Draft Scottish Energy Strategy to replace the current generation of nuclear electricity plants in Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The draft Energy Strategy sets out our policy towards the current generation of nuclear power stations; that Hunterston B and Torness nuclear power stations should not be replaced with new nuclear generation under current technologies. The Scottish Governme…

22 Feb 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met European Commission officials, and what was discussed.

21 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment (RAFE) Delivery Board, including any external stakeholders that represent interests outside government.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Membership comprises of chief executives or equivalent of the main delivery bodies and senior officials from Scottish Government. The following list sets out the current membership of the RAFE Delivery Board: Board Members Bill Barron Acting Chief Executive…

21 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates in 2017 the Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment (RAFE) Delivery Board plans to meet, and at which meeting the board will discuss delivery of the biodiversity strategy outcomes.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Ministers have yet to consider formal arrangements for biodiversity and land use governance. On biodiversity, the focus of the co-ordination of delivery sits with the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Co-ordination Group (which is chaired by Scottish Natural Her…

21 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that (a) agriculture, (b) forestry, (c) fisheries and (d) aquaculture policy contributes to, and does not undermine, the fulfilment of biodiversity targets.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity, which was published in 2013 as a supplement to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy published in 2004, recognises the importance of aligning policy across a range of areas which can contribute to meeting our inter…

21 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in Scotland on reaching the Aichi targets for biodiversity, as agreed under the Convention on Biological Diversity; when it will publicly report on progress, and what steps it has taken to ensure that the targets are achieved.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: On 28 September 2016, Scottish Natural Heritage published Scotland’s Biodiversity Progress to 2020 Aichi Targets - An Interim Report. Of the twenty Aichi targets, seven are on track, a further six are showing progress and seven will be reported on in 2017 whe…

8 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Air Departure Tax will exempt passengers from Highlands and Islands airports.

Answer · Derek Mackay: As set out in the Scottish Government's response to the Finance and Constitution Committee's Stage 1 report on the Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Bill, the Scottish Government strongly supports having an Air Departure Tax exemption for passengers flying from Hi…

7 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its statement on Scotland’s ferry services on 2 February 2017, what impacts the review of ferry service procurement will have on its 2012 Ferries Plan, which covers the period to 2022.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Ferries Plan 2013-2022 contained proposals on vessel investment and replacement, pier and harbours upgrades, new and improved ferry services and timetables and fares reductions. The policy review of ferry service procurement is unlikely to have an impact …

7 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its statement on Scotland’s ferry services on 2 February 2017, what impacts the review of ferry service procurement will have on Audit Scotland’s review of Scotland’s ferry services, which is due to report in autumn 2017.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We cannot pre-judge the outcome of the ferry services procurement policy review. The Scottish Government has engaged with Audit Scotland to discuss the purpose and timing of the ferry services procurement policy review and their review of Scotland’s ferry ser…

7 Feb 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what costs it has incurred from re-tendering public contracts for ferry services in each year since 2002.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the undernoted answers which have been identified from 2002 to date that relate to costs incurred from tendering public contracts for ferry services. These costs relate to Scottish Executive / Scottish Government staff costs, external …

26 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid to Link Group Ltd to administer the Help to Adapt scheme, broken down by local authority pilot area.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Please see the response to S5W-06634 on 3 February 2017 which provides further details of the pilot including the total paid to the Link Group Ltd to administer the Help to Adapt scheme. It is not possible to provide a break down by local authority area. All…

26 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent promoting take-up of the Help to Adapt scheme to enable older people to live independently in their own home, not including the cost of providing assistance to older people.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Help to Adapt pilot was tendered under normal procurement rules as a two year contract which was awarded to the Link Group Ltd. To date the scheme has cost £892,969. Please see the response to S5W-06634 on 3 February 2017 which provides further details of…

26 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much the Help to Adapt scheme cost; how many older people have been assisted to live independently in their own home as a result of the scheme, and what type of assistance has been provided, broken down by (a) each year of the scheme's operation and (b) local authority pilot area.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Costs for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 are £545,147 including mobilisation costs. Costs for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016 are £347,822. (a) Type of assistance provided broken down by each year of the scheme's operation Year 1 (…

24 Jan 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider removing the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

17 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take similar action to that of NHS England to tackle rising costs of indemnity for GPs, particularly those who work out of hours, and what plans it has to reform indemnity arrangements more widely.

Answer · Shona Robison: Indemnity insurance is one of a range of issues for consideration in the context of negotiating the new GP contract from 2017. These negotiations are on-going and their content must remain confidential between the negotiating parties, however we will continue…

11 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02317 by Roseanna Cunningham on 15 September 2016, what progress it is making with the implementation of each of the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The details of the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review and the progress being made with implementation is set out below. The Scottish Government will legislate where this is required, subject to consultation, in respect of every recommendat…

11 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish SPCA regarding increasing the charity's powers to investigate wildlife crime.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02307 on 15 September 2016. The then Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod MSP, met the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) on 25 February 2016…

11 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the Scottish SPCA's powers to investigate wildlife crime and, if so, when.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: A decision on whether to extend the investigatory powers of the SSPCA will be announced in the first half of 2017.

21 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set drug-driving limits and, if so, whether it will equip the police with the so-called drugalyser devices that are in use in England and Wales.

Answer · Michael Matheson: This is a very complex area with individual limits proposed for 17 different drug types. While no specific timescale has been set, we understand there is likely to be an evaluation of the new drug driving limits introduced in England and Wales that is due to …