Parliamentary questions
Graham Simpson
867 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hackney cabs are (a) compliant (b) not compliant with the planned low-emission zones in (i) Glasgow and (ii) Edinburgh.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As of March 2022, there were 916 LEZ compliant taxis in Edinburgh and 465 in Glasgow. For non-compliant taxis, there were 359 in Edinburgh and 954 in Glasgow.
19 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to the drivers of hackney cabs to purchase vehicles that are compliant with low-emission zones.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government has made Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Support fund grants available since late 2019. I can confirm that a further £5 million has been allocated to the LEZ Support Fund for 2022-23. The LEZ Support fund (administered by Energy Savings Trust…
29 May 2022 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it has in place should train drivers reject the latest pay offer, in light of the reported hundreds of cancellations at the weekend.
25 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its policy on the control of woodland removal.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The current provisions for felling permissions are set out in the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 and associated regulations, last updated in 2021. Felling trees for the purposes of carrying out development, authorised by planning authoritie…
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with veterans groups to discuss concessionary travel proposals.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There have been no recent meetings between veterans' groups and the Scottish Government to discuss concessionary travel. However, I will be meeting Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans in the near future to discuss issues including concessionary travel.…
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis of the operation of Transport for London’s Veteran Oyster Card scheme, and whether it will consider rolling out a similar scheme in Scotland.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport for London’s Veteran Oyster Card scheme is specifically tailored to London’s ticket and fare system. Whilst there are no current plans to roll out such a scheme in Scotland, I have asked my officials in Transport Scotland to meet with TfL to learn m…
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what concessionary schemes exist across all of Scotland’s transport networks for injured veterans.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Veterans Railcard provides a one-third discount on rail journeys across the UK. It is available to all veterans who have served for at least one day or more in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military …
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more injured veterans to use public transport.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08732 on 14 June 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
16 May 2022 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to prevent future rail service cancellations due to industrial action by drivers.
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to bus operators to upgrade depots with the necessary infrastructure needed for zero-emission buses.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government provided support for the acquisition of zero emission buses, and the associated charging infrastructure, through the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) and its successor, the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (Scot…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch a marketing campaign to encourage people to return to using buses.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland is continuing to engage with operators, delivery partners and other key stakeholders on the current Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance and recommended safe behaviours to ensure that the appropriate messaging is cascaded across the transp…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many diesel buses have been replaced by zero-emission vehicles through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) and the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) to date.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government has supported bus operators acquire a total of 548 zero emission buses through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) and the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) combined, meaning there will be 548 fewer di…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to launch a marketing campaign to increase bus use before removing the Network Support Grant Plus.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08555 on 26 May 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of bus routes and services will stop across Scotland once the Network Support Grant Plus ends in summer 2022.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Budget for 2022-23 provides up to £93.5 million in support for bus services, including £40 million in additional funding to support recovery. As we navigate our way out of the pandemic, it is important that the support we give transport operators…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many diesel-powered buses are currently in use in Scotland.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As of March 2020-21, there were approximately 3,700 public service buses in Scotland. 605 will be zero-emissions and the remaining 3,095 are not zero-emission buses. The Scottish Government does not hold any further information on the fuel type of these buses…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch a marketing campaign for the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises that some people have found the application process for their National Entitlement Card complex. We therefore continue to work closely with the Improvement Service, which is ultimately responsible for the National Entitlemen…
11 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help with the reported ongoing bus driver shortage.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: My officials in Transport Scotland have been working with bus operators to monitor the impact on service levels and changes in vacancy levels. Officials are also in regular contact with the Department for Transport, DVLA and DVSA regarding issues about delays…
2 May 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the boycott announced by the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association will have on the number of outstanding trials in Scotland.
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage more people to return to travelling by rail.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Following the pandemic and the move to a publicly owned ScotRail we are committed to encouraging people to return to our railway. We now have the opportunity to ensure that passenger services reflect changing passenger needs and travel behaviours whilst resto…
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to invest in early intervention to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Lanarkshire.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: We aim to ensure that all children and young people in Scotland have access to appropriate support for their mental health, at the right time, without stigma. We know that the Covid-19 pandemic has been exceptionally difficult for the mental health and wellbe…
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of children and young people are currently beginning treatment for mental health conditions within 18 weeks of referral in NHS Lanarkshire.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government national standard is that 90% of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral. The publication for CAMHS waiting times for the quarter ending December 2021 can be found at Publications - Public Health…
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of psychologists able to diagnose autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the National Neurodevelopmental Specification: Principles and Standards of Care for Children and Young People, published in September 2021, which specifies service standards that all children’s services s…
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the bidding and contract process will start for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract, in light of the current contract being due to end in October 2024.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The current Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract is due to expire in September 2024. Development and planning work is currently underway by officials to consider potential options for future contracts and to create an engagement plan for key stakeholders…
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to replace ScotRail’s 25 InterCity high-speed trains before the end of their working life in 2030.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: At the present time 25 of these diesel trains operate between Scotland’s key cities and their replacement is planned with electric or bi-mode intercity trains at the earliest possible time, which is expected to be when Network Rail has completed the electrifi…
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of ScotRail’s current rolling stock by (a) age and (b) the year that the trains will reach the end of their working life.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The following table represents a breakdown of the current ScotRail rolling stock by class of train, year built and approximate age. There is no single lifespan for a train: any decision to replace a train fleet is based on multiple evaluation criteria. While …
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason CalMac reportedly was not required to conduct an Island Communities Impact Assessment for its new ticketing and reservation system.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: CalMac Ferries ltd is not listed as a Relevant Authority in the Islands (Scotland) Act, and is therefore not subject to duties under the Act.
28 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much financial resource has been allocated to reduce waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in NHS (a) Lanarkshire, (b) Greater Glasgow and Clyde, (c) Forth Valley and (d) Dumfries and Galloway in each year since 2016.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: NHS Scotland expenditure on mental health, including children and adolescents, is reported in the Scottish Health Service Costs , published annually by ISD Scotland. Expenditure in financial years 2016-17 to 2020-21 in NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow …
26 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the number of people requiring home care but who remain on waiting lists for such care.
22 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to members of the public with a negligence claim against a solicitor.
Answer · Ash Regan: The Master Policy is the compulsory professional indemnity insurance arrangement which covers all Scottish solicitors working in private practice, arranged by the Law Society of Scotland it exists to ensure that where someone establishes a valid claim for neg…
22 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage members of the Pursuers Panel in Scotland to take on more cases funded by legal aid.
Answer · Ash Regan: I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-08215 and S6W-08217 on 10 May 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-…