Parliamentary questions

Margaret McDougall

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

18 Jun 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding improving the transport links between West Scotland and the rest of the country.

18 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14629 by Margaret Burgess on 17 May 2013, whether the assessment that it is carrying out with COSLA has been completed and, if so, what the number is, also broken down by the number for women who are seeking emergency refuge.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The assessment has not yet been completed. Subsequent to my previous reply the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified that the housing costs for supported housing which does not come within the definition of ‘exempt’ supported housing will be m…

12 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the 2003 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guideline, The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease, on the incidence of group B streptococcal infections in newborn babies in Scotland and what it expects …

Answer · Michael Matheson: As set out in the answer to question S4W-15628 on 26 June 2013, the number of laboratory confirmed reports of early onset invasive group B streptococcal infections has not changed significantly over the last four years (2009- 2012), for which data collection…

12 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to make testing of pregnant women in Scotland for group B streptococcal infection as described in UK Standards Microbiology Investigations: Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage available on request, and what the timetable is.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is given independent advice by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC), the independent expert advisory group who advise ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening. The NSC reviewed the policy for …

12 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to educate health professionals about the suitability of different tests for group B streptococcal carriage.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no specific national educational initiatives commissioned by the Scottish Government about the suitability of different tests for group B streptococcal carriage. Healthcare professionals will have to demonstrate knowledge, skills and competence rel…

12 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS microbiology laboratories follow the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations: Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage.

Answer · Michael Matheson: This information is not held centrally. However, the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (SMI) are endorsed by the Scottish Microbiology Forum (now superseded by the Scottish Microbiology and Virology Network) and each laboratory in Scotland uses the…

12 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the reported incidence of (a) early and (b) late onset group B streptococcus infection has been in each year since 2003.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The number of laboratory confirmed reports of invasive group B streptococcal infections in neonates with early and late onset (as defined below) infection for the period of 2009 to mid-June 2013 for Scotland are summarised in table 1. Figures for 2003-08 are …

10 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government hold regular discussions with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding management of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, sponsorship of the company as a public body and other matters of mutual interest.

31 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been generated in fees from students from England and Wales who attend universities in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Russell: This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government regulates the number of places available to Scots-domiciled and EU students. Where students from the rest of the UK are concerned, recruitment is a matter for each individual university and is d…

31 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people from (a) England and (b) Wales have accepted places at universities in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer · Michael Russell: The number of English and Welsh domiciled entrants to higher education in Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the last five academic years is provided in the following table. (Latest figures are for the academic year 2011-12.) Entrants to higher…

20 May 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a group B streptococcus screening programme for pregnant women.

16 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have used the hyperbaric chamber on Cumbrae in the last five years.

Answer · Alex Neil: The information requested is provided in the following table: Divers Treated Millport Chamber 2008 11 2009 3 2010 4 2011 2 2012 4 Total 24 Source: National Services Division (NSD).

16 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to help maintain the hyperbaric chamber on Cumbrae if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes.

Answer · Alex Neil: The chamber in Millport is one of three independent chambers, in addition to the nationally designated Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which are currently recognised to provide treatment for diving related illness. The number of diving …

1 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken or plans to undertake a review of how many refuges for vulnerable women and children will not be considered exempt accommodation under the new universal credit and benefit cap rules.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has been working with COSLA and providers of housing support to assess the exact number of Supported Accommodation in Scotland that will not be covered under the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP’s) definition of Supported Exempt …

1 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct an audit of the number of local authorities taking a three-year approach to funding voluntary sector organisations and, if so, when.

Answer · John Swinney: I am committed to considering the questions and points that were raised on the frequency of three year funding during the debate on Funding to the Voluntary Sector that was held on 1 May. My officials are in discussions and once that is complete I will be in…

13 Mar 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to help tenants and social landlords affected by the so-called bedroom tax.

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to support the economy of Cumbrae if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes and what discussion it has had with stakeholders on this matter.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government continues to work closely with a wide range of organisations to increase economic activity, promote growth, and to protect and create employment opportunities across North Ayrshire, including in Cumbrae. I have held two constructive m…

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes, where its work will be relocated and whether it will remain in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Russell: Discussions on ensuring the future delivery of marine science provision within Scotland in the event of a decision by the University of London to close the station are on-going between stakeholders in marine science provision and the Scottish Funding Council.…

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what services will be transferred to the Scottish Association for Marine Science if the University Marine Biological Station Millport is closed.

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to the Scottish Association for Marine Science in each of the last three years.

Answer · Michael Russell: SAMS does not receive core grant-in-aid funding from the Scottish Government. One-off grants paid by Scottish Government for goods and services from SAMS are published in SAMS Annual Accounts.

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the University Marine Biological Station Millport, the University of St Andrews and other stakeholders to develop a plan to invest in and develop the station.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is working with a range of stakeholders to explore options in the event of a decision by the University of London to close the station. However the University of St Andrews has indicated it will not be participating in any investment o…

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the University of St Andrews, (b) North Ayrshire Council and (c) the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland regarding the University Marine Biological Station Millport; when these discussions took place, and what the nature was of the…

Answer · Michael Russell: I have held two constructive meetings (17 January and 20 February 2013) to discuss the future of Millport, which were attended by representatives from St Andrews, North Ayrshire Council, and the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland. Discus…

6 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has available due to capital underspend and whether it will consider using some of this money to keep the University Marine Biological Station Millport open.

Answer · John Swinney: We are currently working to ensure that we spend in full our capital budget for this financial year. If any underspends emerge we will consider appropriate deployment recognising limited timescales. In relation to the University Marine Biology Station Millpor…

5 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the John Muir Trust's proposal that wild land should be the subject of additional national designation.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: There are already protected areas with a landscape focus (National Scenic Areas and National Parks) which cover almost 20% of Scotland’s land area and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) recognises that the most sensitive landscapes may have little or no capacity …

26 Feb 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the housing benefit changes in April 2013 will be on the number of homeless people in Scotland.