Parliamentary questions
Margaret McDougall
364 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
7 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19256 by Fergus Ewing on 3 February 2014, what correspondence it sent to (a) the Financial Conduct Authority and (b) HM Treasury and what response it received.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The member can obtain access to copies of the correspondence sent to the Financial Conduct Authority and HM Treasury and the response received from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) using BIB number 55686.
20 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to companies that have been excluded from the Financial Conduct Authority’s review of the mis-selling of interest rate swap agreements on the grounds that they are classed as ”sophisticated” customers.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: It is for the appropriate regulators and the banks to ensure that all companies that may have been mis-sold financial products are given the assistance they need and any appropriate redress. The Scottish Government will continue to refer such companies to the…
20 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publicise to small and medium-sized businesses the review that has been set up by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to the mis-selling of interest rate swap agreements.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: It is the responsibility of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to raise awareness of its review and for the banks to approach those customers who fall within the remit the FCA review. The Scottish Government will continue to urge those who believe they ha…
20 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the mis-selling of interest rate swap agreements and what help it is providing to small and medium-sized businesses that have been affected.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: In the Scottish Banking Strategy ‘Sustainable Responsible Banking, published on 10 May 2013, the Scottish Government has emphasised the need for a banking sector in Scotland that is built on the principles of probity, prudence and trust. We strongly oppose th…
20 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government with whom it has had discussions in relation to the mis-selling of interest rate swap agreements to small and medium-sized businesses.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Following a members business debate in the Scottish Parliament on 13 June 2013 on this matter, Mr Swinney wrote to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HM Treasury to relay the concerns of businesses in Scotland affected by the mis-selling of interest rate s…
7 Jan 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether North Ayrshire will no longer have access to the £23 million in Scottish Futures Trust funding in light of the council's decision not to proceed with the new schools campus.
Answer · Michael Russell: In September 2012, the Scottish Government allocated provisional funding to support the replacement or refurbishment of 30 schools under Phase III of its Schools for the Future Programme, this included support to North Ayrshire Council for its proposal to rep…
26 Nov 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle fuel poverty.
20 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that pregnant women whose babies are at higher risk of group B streptococcus infection are identified.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The “UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations: Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage” (SMI B58) endorses and supports the recommendations that only those pregnant women assessed as being at high risk should be tested. The document provides a…
20 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it collects on the (a) short and (b) long-term impact on babies of group B streptococcus infection.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government does not collect the above data. Early and late onset group B streptococcal infections are not notifiable under the terms of the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008.
20 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the incidence of the (a) early and (b) late onset of group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy.
Answer · Michael Matheson: NHS boards in Scotland are expected to follow professional guidance issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Healthcare professionals will have undergone extensive training and education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels…
20 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues regarding testing for group B streptococcus infection in late pregnancy, and when it last reviewed the guidance.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises the recently revised guidance called ‘The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease’ issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists in Ju…
20 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings it has held to discuss group B streptococcus infection.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Minister for Public Health met with Margaret McDougall MSP on 12 September 2013 to discuss screening for group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy.
20 Nov 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that enriched culture medium testing for group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy is available in each NHS board.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Currently there are no clinical indicators for enriched culture medium testing for group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy, however testing can be carried out in certain circumstances using the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines…
12 Nov 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work it carries out to identify and support people with dyslexia.
4 Nov 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with energy suppliers regarding increases in gas and electricity prices.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Rising energy prices are a huge concern for all of us in this chamber, and across the country. I won’t be alone in having been contacted by constituents who are angry at these increases and worried about their ability to meet these costs. The Scottish Governm…
21 Oct 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the Labour Force Survey that suggested the number of women unemployed has increased by 4,000 over the last quarter.
Answer · John Swinney: In the last year, the number of women in employment in Scotland has risen by 49,000. The female employment rate in Scotland has risen by 2.5 percentage points to 69.5% - the highest rate since March to May 2008 - over the same period. This is encouraging new…
18 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop Prestwick International Airport railway station.
Answer · Keith Brown: The member has also submitted questions S4W-17903, S4W-17904 and S4W-17907 and this response covers those questions. The Scottish Government is currently undertaking due diligence with the intention of purchasing Glasgow Prestwick airport and analysis of emp…
18 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, if it buys Glasgow Prestwick Airport, whether it will produce a long-term plan for its development and, if so, when.
Answer · Keith Brown: The member has also submitted questions S4W-17903, S4W-17904 and S4W-17908 and this response covers those questions. The Scottish Government is currently undertaking due diligence with the intention of purchasing Glasgow Prestwick airport and analysis of em…
18 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings it has had with (a) local authorities, (b) Scottish Enterprise, (c) Transport Scotland and (d) other stakeholders regarding Glasgow Prestwick Airport and their role if it buys it, and when these took place.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government continues to have regular discussions with the three Ayrshire Councils, Scottish Enterprise and other members of the multi agency group (MAG) formed earlier this year to consider the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Those discussions…
18 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, if it buys Glasgow Prestwick Airport, whether its employees will be covered by a commitment to (a) the living wage and (b) no compulsory redundancies.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Member has also submitted questions S4W-17903, S4W-17907 and S4W-17908 and this response covers those questions. The Scottish Government is currently undertaking due diligence with the intention of purchasing Glasgow Prestwick Airport and analysis of emp…
18 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many Glasgow Prestwick Airport employees have (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) so-called zero-hours contracts.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Member has also submitted questions S4W-17904, S4W-17907 and S4W-17908 and this response covers those questions. The Scottish Government is currently undertaking due diligence with the intention of purchasing Glasgow Prestwick airport and analysis of em…
17 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its spending plans are for health centres.
Answer · Alex Neil: In terms of capital investment in NHSScotland, health boards continue to invest in infrastructure, including health centres. This can take the form of a rolling programme of maintenance or refurbishment of existing premises, or of redevelopment. Examples of …
17 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure the provision of health services for the increasing population of people over 65.
Answer · Alex Neil: In 2010, the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities launched the Reshaping Care for Older People programme to improve the quality and outcomes of care, and to help address the challenges of an ageing population. This ten-year cha…
17 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided for GP practices in each year since 2007-08.
Answer · Alex Neil: As published on 25 September 2013, historical figures to deliver Primary Medical Services can be accessed via this link: https://catalogue.ic.nhs.uk/publications/primary-care/general-practice/inve-gene-prac-eng-wal-ni-scot-08-13/inve-gene-prac-eng-wal-ni-sco…
17 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02348 by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2013 (Official Report, c. 22063), what the increase in the number of general (a) practitioners and (b) practices has been in each year since 2007.
Answer · Alex Neil: The latest information and historical information on general practitioners practicing in Scotland is available from the NHS Information Services Division (ISD) website at: http://www.isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/General-Practice/GPs-and-Other-Practi…
17 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02348 by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2013 (Official Report, c. 22063), whether the £8 million increase in funding for general practice is new money.
Answer · Alex Neil: On 26 April 2013, I announced a 1.25% uplift to the value of the General Medical Services contract in Scotland for 2013-14. This meant an increase in funding of £8 million, (£7,990,125.00) for all GP practices across Scotland.
17 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02348 by Michael Matheson on 5 September 2013 (Official Report, c. 22063), whether it will provide a breakdown of the £757 million to deliver primary medical services.
Answer · Alex Neil: As published on 25 September 2013, a breakdown of the latest figures to deliver primary medical services can be accessed via this link: https://catalogue.ic.nhs.uk/publications/primary-care/general-practice/inve-gene-prac-eng-wal-ni-scot-08-13/inve-gene-prac…
27 Aug 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports GP practices.
24 Jul 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) police and (b) UK Government regarding the (i) licensing and (ii) control of guns made using 3D printing technology.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We have not had any formal discussions with either the police or the UK Government on this issue. Responsibility for the policy on the licensing and control of such weapons currently lies with the Home Office. Informal contact with officials in that departme…
25 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its banking strategy will encourage banks to make budget accounts more widely available.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government banking strategy (Sustainable, Responsible Banking; a strategy for Scotland) sets out the principles that should apply to encourage a responsible approach to providing banking services, that meets the needs of all customers, including …