Parliamentary questions
Margaret McDougall
364 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Jan 2015 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Ayrshire and Arran and what issues were discussed.
9 Dec 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what road improvements in North Ayrshire are planned over the next five years.
4 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on EDF’s application to SEPA that would allow it to transport intermediate-level radioactive waste from other sites to Hunterston to be stored.
28 Oct 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism has had with EDF regarding its application to transport radioactive waste to Hunterston for storage.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: This application is a matter for SEPA, who are giving it full consideration, and will test its compatibility with Scottish Government policy.
10 Oct 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-03535 by Angela Constance on 25 September 2014 (Official Report, c.4), whether it will confirm how many high-skilled, high-quality jobs will be secured in West Scotland as a result of the so-called new oil boom, and what discussions it has had with …
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to maximising the economic recovery of oil and gas and ensuring that the total value of the sector is maximised both for the economy and society as a whole. The sector is facing a number of issues at the moment, not least…
10 Oct 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the (a) remit and (b) membership of the West of Scotland Oil and Gas Workshop.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Government officials are in discussion with Heriot-Watt University’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society; the Natural Environment Research Council and the oil and gas industry, regarding the delivery of the West of Scotland Oil a…
10 Oct 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the cost of the independence referendum.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: When the referendum legislation was introduced to Parliament in 2013 the Scottish Government estimated the cost to be around £13.7 million. The final total will not be known until all claims and invoices have been finally settled in early 2015. The financia…
10 Oct 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what framework it uses to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of amenity housing.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: It is the responsibility of local authorities to determine these matters based on guidance issued by the Scottish Government including Age, Home and Community: A Strategy for Housing for Scotland's Older People: 2012 – 2021, housing need and demand assessment…
22 Sep 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what figures it has on the closure of museums and libraries over the last five years.
17 Sep 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote high skilled, high quality jobs in the West Scotland region.
29 Jul 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of taxation in an independent Scotland.
18 Jun 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the start-up costs of independence.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has undertaken a range of work to prepare for the transition to independence and our approach is set out in Chapter 10 of Scotland’s Future. This explains that a number of factors will influence the size of the one-off investment that …
11 Jun 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support speech and language therapy.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises the important contribution speech and language therapists and other allied health professionals (AHP) make to the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. The National Delivery Plan for the Allied Health Professions …
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been changes to airport staff terms and conditions since its buyout of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
Answer · Keith Brown: No changes have been made to the terms and conditions of Glasgow Prestwick Airport staff as a result of the airports acquisition by Scottish Ministers. However, in the normal day to day running of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, the airport has changed the terms a…
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding staff at Glasgow Prestwick Airport being paid at least the living wage.
Answer · Keith Brown: The senior management team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport has had considerable discussions with the relevant unions and agreed that the implementation of the Living Wage will be discussed as part of future pay discussions.
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its £5 million investment in Glasgow Prestwick Airport has been allocated.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has provided Glasgow Prestwick Airport with £4.5 million in 2013-14 and a further £1 million in 2014-15 to date, to cover the current cash deficit resulting from on-going operations and necessary capital expenditure and to maintain suf…
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its comprehensive business plan on the future of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Deputy First Minister will update the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee on the future of Prestwick when she appears before the committee on 18 June 2014. We will subsequently publish a document setting out a strategic vision for the long ter…
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to next deliver a ministerial statement on Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Deputy First Minister has committed to providing the Scottish Parliament with a further update on progress at Glasgow Prestwick Airport at the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee on 18 June 2014.
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the local authorities in Ayrshire regarding the future of Glasgow Prestwick Airport and its report on the airport's viability.
Answer · Keith Brown: We have had regular discussions with South Ayrshire Council and a multi-agency group, which includes the three Ayrshire Councils, to monitor developments and to use their expertise to the benefit of the airport.
29 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its report on the viability of Glasgow Prestwick Airport and what the reason is for any delay.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Deputy First Minister will update the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee on the future of Prestwick when she appears before the committee on 18 June 2014. We will subsequently publish a document setting out a strategic vision for the long ter…
27 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the establishment of a financial services compensation scheme in the event that an independent Scotland did not have a currency union with the rest of the UK.
Answer · John Swinney: A formal currency union is in the interests of the rest of the UK. The Fiscal Commission Working Group, which consists of leading economic experts and two Nobel Laureates, has spelled out why this is the case. The Scottish Government is committed to a proper…
27 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the firms that would contribute to the cost of a financial services compensation scheme in an independent Scotland and what levy they would be charged.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-21335 on 3 June 2014. 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/parliamentarybus…
27 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would have its own financial services compensation scheme and, if so, what it would cost to establish; how the (a) start-up and (b) operation of the service would be funded, and what thresholds would apply.
Answer · John Swinney: We have set out the proposed arrangements in Scotland’s Future, based on the recommendations of the Fiscal Commission Working Group. Financial services firms already contribute to the compensation scheme, and levels of protection for key aspects are harmonis…
22 Apr 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to meet the national outcome that people in Scotland live longer, healthier lives and whether it considers tackling loneliness to be crucial in meeting this outcome.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Tackling loneliness is important. Evidence presented to the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities showed the positive effect a person’s connectedness and inclusion in their family and community can have. The task force highlighted the development of ‘…
2 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that tenants in the private rented sector are not in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: Private landlords have a statutory duty to ensure that any facilities for heating in the homes they let and any appliances they provide to tenants must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order. Any tenant who is concerned that their land…
2 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what protection is available to tenants in the private rented sector in cases in which (a) landlords and (b) letting agents do not repair substandard properties.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: Private landlords are required by section 14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to carry out any repairs needed to ensure that private rented homes meet the statutory repairing standard, though they may delegate work to their letting agents. Any tenant who is…
2 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many properties in the private sector have been given a gas safety check in the last five years, and whether it plans to ensure that such properties are subject to annual checks.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: If a house has a supply of gas, private landlords must ensure that annual gas safety inspections are carried out. The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of inspections. Any private sector tenant who is concerned that their landlord has no…
2 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to tenants in the private rented sector who live in damp homes, and what information it has on how many private lets are damp.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: Private landlords have a statutory duty to ensure that the homes they let are wind and watertight and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation. From 1 May 2013 landlords are required to provide new tenants with a tenant information pack, whic…
2 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available for disadvantaged adults who want to further their education.
Answer · Michael Russell: College students studying full-time courses are eligible for free tuition and are supported by record levels of student support, of over £102 million this academic year. This is part of a commitment of over £500 million for colleges, allowing them to maintain…
2 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to tackle the reported decreasing number of adult learners.
Answer · Michael Russell: A wide range of learning opportunities remain available for those looking to enter training or education. For example, for those who want to gain employment or improve skills, colleges offer a wide range of provision. Local authority community-based adult lea…