Parliamentary questions
Liam McArthur
3,646 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Jun 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for Environment and Climate Change or his officials have had with the European Commission about Orkney Islands Council’s recently adopted changes to the management of ballast water in Scapa Flow and its compatibility with EU legislation.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Ministers and their officials have to date had no discussions with the European Commission on Orkney Islands Council’s revised Ballast Water Management Policy.
23 Jun 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice the Minister for Environment and Climate Change has received from (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (b) Scottish Natural Heritage regarding Orkney Islands Council’s recently adopted changes to the management of ballast water in Scapa Flow.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government maintains contact with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on Orkney Islands Council’s revised Ballast Water Management Policy. SEPA has a duty under the Water Framework Directive to p…
23 Jun 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Minister for Environment and Climate Change is conducting "an informal review" of Orkney Islands Council’s proposed changes to the management of ballast water in Scapa Flow, in light of his statutory responsibility to review this decision under the habitats directive.…
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Orkney Islands Council approved a revised Ballast Water Management Policy for Scapa Flow on 10 December 2013. Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and stakeholders have expressed concerns about the proposals and the need to en…
10 Jun 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what flexibility there is in the national calculation method for determining the type of heating system used in large public buildings.
22 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether an expert panel has been established to consider strategic options regarding the future of the Northern Isles ferry service and, if so, who sits on the panel.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government regularly consults on the Northern Isles ferry services through a variety of groups including the recently established Northern Isles Ferry Services Consultative Forum. This forum has met twice and was established by Scottish Ministers…
22 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what bodies are represented on the Northern Isles Ferries Consultative Forum; how membership was decided; on what dates and where it has met, and what was discussed.
Answer · Keith Brown: The following bodies are represented on the Northern Isles Ferries Consultative Forum: HITRANS, ZetTrans, Shetland Island Council, Orkney Island Council, Serco NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries, John O’Groats Ferries, Aberdeen Harbour Board, Lerwick Port A…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what routine assessment is made of the impact on pupils from economically disadvantaged households during the (a) conception, (b) design and (c) evaluation of (i) national and (ii) local education projects.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government and its partners at national and local level share a strong commitment to improving the educational outcomes for all children and young people, including those from economically disadvantaged households. This shared commitment influenc…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Improving Performance to Raise Attainment policy group.
Answer · Michael Russell: The ‘Improving Performance to Raise Attainment policy group’ (now known as the Raising Attainment and Governance Unit) is an internal policy unit within the Scottish Government Learning Directorate. The Scottish Government are taking forward a number of acti…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what systematic monitoring and evaluation of national policies it carries out to assess the contribution that they make to closing the attainment gap of pupils from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Answer · Michael Russell: Education Scotland’s Corporate Plan 2013-16 sets out actions which aim to bring a step change in the quality and equity of Scottish education. The strategic objectives and commitment for action over the next three years are focussed on the areas which will ha…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence there is that measures in the curriculum for excellence are helping to reduce the attainment gap of pupils from economically disadvantaged households in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-21168 on 30 May 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…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what ongoing assessment is in place to monitor the impact of the curriculum for excellence on the educational outcomes of pupils from economically disadvantaged households.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-21168 on 30 May 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…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the curriculum for excellence on the educational outcomes of children living in poverty.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: There are a range of measures through which the impact of the Curriculum for Excellence on the educational outcomes for all children, including those living in poverty, can be assessed. These include the annual Scottish Qualifications Authority exam results a…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the educational impact of (a) Achieving our Potential: A Framework to tackle poverty and income inequality in Scotland, (b) The Early Years Framework and (c) Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequality on the educational outcomes…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Achieving our Potential: A Framework to tackle poverty and income inequality in Scotland, The Early Years Framework and Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequality did not in themselves set out to make an impact on the educational …
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it made of the evidence from education initiatives contained in its 2011 Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland of what works for children from economically disadvantaged households before producing Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland: Our Approach 2014-2017.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: During 2013 and early 2014 the Scottish Government developed a strategic approach with the Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty and a full range of stakeholders across Scotland. A number of areas were identified as priorities for future work across a v…
15 May 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of its getting it right for every child approach on the educational outcomes of children from economically disadvantaged households.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The independent evaluation report by Edinburgh University in 2009 into the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) Highland Pathfinder (2006-9) showed improved outcomes for a majority of children, all of whom had complex needs. There has been no specific a…
30 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what incentives it provides to encourage the use of renewable energy technologies when developing (a) hospitals and (b) other major public buildings.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government provides incentives to encourage the use of renewable energy technologies when developing hospitals and other major public buildings through a number of channels. Specifically for developing new health facilities within NHS Scotland, …
30 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received regarding the potential for renewables technologies in the design of the new Balfour hospital planned for Kirkwall in Orkney.
Answer · Alex Neil: The new Balfour Hospital project is at an early stage. NHS Orkney will ensure that the new hospital meets the requirement that all new healthcare buildings, where the capital cost is more than £2 million, are to obtain a Building Research Establishment Envi…
30 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Orkney regarding renewable technologies in the design of the new Balfour Hospital.
Answer · Alex Neil: The new Balfour Hospital project is at an early stage. Scottish Government officials are currently reviewing the outline business case for the project. Guidance sets out that all new healthcare buildings, where the capital cost is more than £2 million, are t…
23 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many foreign language assistants there have been in schools in each year since 2005.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Since 2005 there has been a total of 1553 language assistants in Scottish schools. A breakdown of this figure is provided in the following table by each academic year since 2005. This number includes both local authority and independent schools. Year Total …
15 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is sufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of the new enforcement measures to tackle raptor persecution announced by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change on 1 July 2013.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: There is not yet sufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of the new measures announced on 1 July 2013. A report on the review of penalties is due by the end of the year and the changes to the general licences will be fully implemented by Scottish Natu…
15 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to combat illegal raptor persecution in the Leadhills area.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Leadhills area has been identified as a poisoning ‘hotspot’ in the maps that are published annually by the Scottish Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. There have also been incidents in the area involving illegal shooting of raptors. Operation…
15 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will hold an inquiry into reports that Police Scotland told a member of the public that the poisoning of a peregrine falcon in the Leadhills area was not a police matter.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Police Scotland is committed to investigating wildlife crime and have confirmed that on this occasion well established protocols and processes were adhered to in order to allow the bird to be recovered successfully. As a result of this, and the subsequent ana…
15 Apr 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps Police Scotland is taking to ensure that its staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding the protection of protected species.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The training of wildlife crime officers is a matter solely for the Chief Constable. It is not appropriate for Scottish Ministers to seek to intervene on operational policing matters. I can advise however that since Police Scotland came into being on 1 April …
14 Apr 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to mitigate the impact on Orkney of the move from a historic to an area basis for payments under the reformed common agricultural policy.
19 Mar 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought legal advice on the tuition fee proposals set out in its white paper on independence.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The white paper is consistent with and informed by legal advice the government has received. It is the long-standing practice of the Scottish and UK governments, as is recognised in their respective Ministerial Codes, not to disclose the fact or content of a…
10 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils were or have been excluded for being in possession of (i) a weapon, (ii) alcohol and (iii) illegal drugs at school in (A) 2012-13 and (B) 2013-14.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Although information on pupils excluded from school is collected by the Scottish Government, specific information on pupils excluded for possession of weapons, alcohol or illegal drugs at school is not collected. Information on exclusions, by the reasons for …
3 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the updated Pupil census 2013 supplementary data, which suggests an apparent disparity across local authorities in identifying pupils with additional support needs, and whether it considers that there should be a more consistent approach across local authorities t…
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Prior to 2010, only pupils with co-ordinated support plans, individualised educational programmes or who were attending a special school were recorded as having additional support needs. However, in 2010 this was extended to include anyone receiving additiona…
3 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled people the additional £500,000 announced for employer recruitment incentives in August 2013 will assist and how long the funding will be available.
Answer · Angela Constance: The aim is to support 1,000 targeted young people, through the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) employer recruitment incentive (ERI) over the three year funding programme ending in 2015. From 1 April 2013 to 27 December 2013, 224 individuals were supported …
3 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships have (a) started and (b) been completed in each of the last three years and what percentage of people taking part are disabled.
Answer · Angela Constance: This information is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.
28 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Council of Economic Advisers’ report on the provision of childcare will be published.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18943 on 14 January 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/parliamentary…