Liam McArthur

9 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average size has been for primary 1-3 classes in each of the last five years.

Answer · Angela Constance: This information can be found in Table 4.1 in the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland, No: 6 - 2015 publication document: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/7925/321884 Table 4.1: Average class size of primary school pupils(1), 2006 to 2015 …

9 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, given that NHS Orkney's funding has been £6.1 million below the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) target between 2010-11 and 2015-16, what plans it has to provide NHS Orkney with the £6.1 million to bring it into line with the NRAC target.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Orkney’s funding for 2016-17 is in line with the NRAC target. NHS Orkney’s resource budget will increase by 4.6% to £43.2 million, an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 15.1% in 2015-16.

9 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Orkney was allocated less funding than the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee target in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.

Answer · Shona Robison: In 2016-17 NHS Orkney’s resource budget will increase by 4.6% to £43.2 million, an above inflation increase, and in line with the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee target, which reflects our commitment to move all board’s to parity using the ‘differe…

9 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02557 by John Swinney on 7 November 2013 (Official Report, c. 24158), in light of the cabinet secretary's commitment that he would "take forward" the case for using the opportunity of cable laying activity in Orkney to incorporate fibre connections,…

Answer · John Swinney: As part of the process of designing and optimising Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband roll-out on Orkney, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) asked BT to explore what synergies could be achieved with SSE and other utilities providers in order to make the…

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its ministers should have the power, at the request of local authorities, to issue statutory guidance in relation to island communities that relevant public bodies would be required to adhere to and, if so, what steps it has taken to achieve this.

Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30399 on 21 March 2016. 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…

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the management of and rights to profit from the foreshore and seabed round their islands should be devolved to the island authorities and, if so, what steps it has taken to (a) devolve that power and (b) consult the people living on islands and in local authorit…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: At present our focus is to secure devolution of management and revenues of the Crown Estate in Scotland. We will implement interim arrangements to manage Crown Estate assets in advance of the Scottish Parliament using devolved powers which ensure a full and f…

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that island councils should have the power to make the case to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland for the introduction of single or two-member wards where there is a strong geographical case and, if so, what steps it has taken to devolve that power.

Answer · Derek Mackay: As part of the Scottish Government’s recent Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill, views were sought on a range of issues including the concept of island proofing with the flexibility to issue statutory guidance and also councillor representati…

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing more national parks to help conserve the natural landscape.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government has previously made clear its willingness to work with communities to explore the creation of new national parks. We have been equally clear that such discussions would only be appropriate where there is strong evidence of local author…

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on restarting the review into building standards for energy efficiency that was cancelled in September 2015.

Answer · Marco Biagi: No review into building standards for energy efficiency was cancelled in September 2015. The most recent review of these standards was undertaken between April 2011 and June 2014, with a public consultation in January 2013. This resulted in revised standards …

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on implementing catch-up zones in remote areas with high levels of fuel poverty.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: We have allocated over half a billion pounds to our energy efficiency programmes since 2009, and we are already introducing greater flexibility across our fuel poverty programmes to help increase delivery of our schemes in rural areas. In 2015-16 we allocate…

7 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle wildlife crime.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government currently is taking action to tackle wildlife crime on a number of fronts. In response to a request from the Scottish Government in July 2013, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) developed a new procedure for restricting the use of gene…

4 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposals for national fixed pricing on electricity distribution networks and whether it has asked the UK Government to examine such proposals.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30367 on 21 March 2016. 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/parliamentarybu…

4 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholders it has met to discuss proposals for national fixed pricing on electricity distribution networks and when, and whether it will publish details of those discussions.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: In response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s energy market investigation, the Scottish Government raised the issue of the current distribution network charging methodology and highlighted the impact on consumers in the North of Scotland who face som…

4 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government to maintain the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and introduce a cross-GB cost recovery mechanism for Shetland’s separate distribution network.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Energy Act 2004 requires the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme to be reviewed every three years. The UK Government set out its position on the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and Common Tariff Obligation at the end of 2015. The consultation document issue…

3 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05622 by John Swinney on 3 March 2016 (Official Report, c. 8), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that powers "around consumer advocacy to support individuals who are troubled by the persistence of nuisance calls" were to be devolved, what …

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Business Pledge is a voluntary commitment made by companies in Scotland to adopt fair and progressive business practices with the goal of boosting productivity, competitiveness, employment, fair work and workforce engagement and development. It d…

3 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29584 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, which minister is leading its discussions with (a) the UK Government and (b) key stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the regulations; what meetings have taken place; who attended; whether the issue o…

Answer · John Swinney: There have been no recent ministerial discussions with the UK Government or key stakeholders on the issue of nuisance calls. Scottish Government officials met with representatives of Which? in February and March 2016, and are currently considering how the Sco…

3 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-29454 and S4W-29455, which received holding answers on 5 February 2016, and what the reason is for the delay in providing such answers.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The answers have now been provided. The response was delayed as our priority was for ministers to work across portfolios, officials and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs to all work in unison to find a solution. This has now been done, as set ou…

2 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in the document, Heat Policy Statement, Towards Decarbonising Heat: Maximising the Opportunities for Scotland, that it would "consider the recommendations of the Special Working Group of the Expert Commission on District Heating when it reports in Summer 2015 on …

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Special Working Group of the Expert Commission on District Heating submitted its report on potential regulatory frameworks for district heating in Scotland to Scottish Ministers in February 2016. I welcome the report which will be published shortly. The r…

1 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made representations to the UK Government in relation to the introduction of a statutory telecoms scheme to automatically offer compensation to consumers in Scotland when the service falls below expectations.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has not made any specific representations to the UK Government around such a compensation scheme. We have, however, liaised with Ofcom on their strategic review of digital communications and encouraged them to maintain their focus on e…

1 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29501 by John Swinney on 4 February 2016, what response it received from Ofcom to its call for it to undertake more extensive regional market analysis, and what its position is on the conclusions of the review that was published on 25 February 2016.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government welcomes Ofcom’s initial conclusions to the Strategic Review of Digital Communications. We believe they represent a positive step in improving digital communications in Scotland and are pleased that Ofcom intends to act upon a number o…

29 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take within the curriculum for excellence to ensure that young people have a better understanding of mental health.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by support…

29 Feb 2016 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that 67% of colleges had committed all of or more than their bursary budget by December 2015.

23 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities could have on the number of (a) academic and (b) non-academic staff in the higher education sector.

Answer · Angela Constance: Universities are autonomous bodies that receive income from a range of public and private sources, including the Scottish Government. Each institution is responsible for operational matters such as budget allocation and staffing.

23 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities could have on the ability of the institutions to (a) develop technology and (b) conduct research.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has invested over £4 billion in the higher education sector over the last four years and, notwithstanding a very tough budget round, will continue to invest over £1 billion in our higher education institutions in 2016-17, ensuring that…

23 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities could have on widening access to higher education for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is firmly committed to achieving its ambition that every child, whatever their socio-economic background, should have an equal chance of attending university. The letter of guidance to the Scottish Funding Council makes clear that ther…

23 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with (a) the higher education governance sector and (b) other stakeholders regarding the proposed £26 million reduction in the budget for universities, and what views have been expressed.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government engages regularly with the higher education sector, and with a wide range of relevant stakeholders. The 2016-17 draft budget allocation of over £1 billion was described in December 2015 by the Convenor of Universities Scotland, the rep…

22 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29502 by Richard Lochhead on 11 February 2016, whether it will provide details of its discussions with COSLA about deposit return systems for beverage containers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As I set out in my previous response, there have been no formal discussions with COSLA specifically concerning deposit return systems. The potential impact on local authorities from deposit return is one of the issues I identified for further exploration in m…

22 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29502 by Richard Lochhead on 11 February 2016, whether COSLA is supportive of the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers and, if not, what concerns it has raised.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: COSLA’s position on deposit return is a matter for COSLA.

22 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29441 by Aileen Campbell on 4 February 2016, on what date it will convene the group and whether it will set out the timetable for the group's work to be completed.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Further to my response on to the answer to question S4W-29739 on 24 February 2016, we (Scottish Government officials) have begun early modelling work as a precursor to the policy development to be undertaken by the group. The group will meet once this is comp…

16 Feb 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Orkney Islands Council and what issues will be discussed.