Parliamentary questions

Alison Johnstone

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

6 Mar 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to deliver the Health and Work Service on behalf of the UK Government.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government has agreed in principle with the UK Government that the proposed Health and Work Service will be delivered in Scotland through the NHS. This will take advantage of the reasonably well developed occupational health infrastructure that a…

5 Mar 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports community-led healthy behaviour change projects.

26 Feb 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the implications for the justice system of the introduction of a requirement for local authorities to investigate allegations of harassment or unlawful eviction.

17 Feb 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to involve non-motorised users of the A9 corridor in the design of its upgrade work.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is actively engaged in establishing a Non-Motorised User Forum in order to provide an opportunity for representatives of this group to highlight issues they consider relevant to the A9 dualling programme and the design of the route as …

27 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in which Forestry Commission Scotland districts it is compulsory to use only non-lead ammunition for (a) deer stalking and (b) other wildlife management activities; whether this will be rolled out to the rest of the estate, and, if so, when.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Forestry Commission Scotland in its work in deer management areas on the national forest estate has used a mix of lead and non-lead ammunition for a number of years, although usage varies between districts. It is not compulsory to use only non-lead ammunition…

23 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to schools to improve kitchen facilities and expand dining facilities.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government are in early discussions with CoSLA around the implementation of free school meals for all children in primary 1 to primary 3 from January 2015 and will work with local authorities around the practicalities, drawing on the experience o…

23 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what requirements schools have regarding the collection of food waste.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: From January 2014, The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require schools involved in the processing, distribution or preparation of food to take all reasonable steps to ensure the separate collection of any food waste, with the exception of schools in rural a…

23 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what health benefits it expects to see as a result of increased provision of school meals in primary schools.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: School meals in Scotland must meet strict nutritional standards as set out in the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008. Children who take a school meal receive the benefit of a nutritious meal and learn, through t…

23 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how local food producers can benefit from increased provision of school meals in primary schools.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The extension of free school meals to all children in primary school years 1 to 3 will increase the amount of food purchased through existing contracts, including local produce. Scottish Government guidance such as Catering for Change – Buying food sustainabl…

22 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19116 by John Swinney on 22 January 2014, whether local authorities can use income obtained from reductions in council tax discount for second homes and certain long-term unoccupied buildings on energy efficiency and fuel poverty initiatives to impr…

Answer · John Swinney: Statutory responsibility for the administration of council tax, including eligibility for discounts or exemptions, lies with the relevant local authority. It is for each local authority to determine the allocation of resources based on local priorities. Guida…

14 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18585 by John Swinney on 5 December 2013, whether the UK Government discussed with it the allegations that RBS put "good and viable businesses" into default to improve its balance sheet.

Answer · John Swinney: There have been no discussions between the UK Government and the Scottish Government on this matter. The Scottish Government continues to work with all the banks, including RBS, to improve the supply of affordable finance for viable businesses.

14 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on Scotland's economy, what discussions it had with the UK Government in 2013 regarding the banking operations of RBS in Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government recognises the significant contribution that financial services companies make to the Scottish economy and is fully committed to maximising headquarter functions and employment in Scotland. There have been no specific discussions betw…

14 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support credit unions in 2014.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Credit unions are encouraged to access the Scottish Government’s third sector organisational development and support programmes. We are working with the credit union representative bodies to ensure their members across the country are aware of these programme…

14 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is has taken to deliver (a) the proposals on diversity in the banking sector and (b) each of the commitments identified in Sustainable, Responsible Banking: a Strategy for Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is actively taking forward all the commitments detailed in its banking strategy, Sustainable, Responsible Banking: a strategy for Scotland. This includes activity undertaken by the Scottish Government aimed at helping to increase choic…

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities can use income obtained from reductions in council tax discount on energy efficiency and fuel poverty initiatives to improve the affordability of housing stock.

Answer · John Swinney: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 places a duty on local authorities to introduce a discount scheme for council tax, offering a minimum in-year reduction of £50 where householders undertake efficiency improvements to their home. Local authorities do not …

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to release an updated version of the carbon calculator for assessing the carbon impact of wind farms constructed on peatlands.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government can confirm that an updated version of the carbon calculator for assessing the carbon impact of wind farms constructed on peatlands was released on the 16 January 2014 on the Scottish Government website.

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local planning authorities and statutory bodies to assist them in meeting their obligations under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 with regard to assessing the carbon impact of wind farms located on peatlands and other carbon rich soils.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Scottish Planning Policy (which is due to be finalised in June 2014) and online renewables planning advice provides guidance for planning authorities assessing the carbon impact of wind farms located on peatlands and other carbon rich soils. This cross-refers…

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many wind farm applications it has rejected on the basis of an unacceptable (a) level of carbon impact or (b) length of carbon payback period since 1 January 2008.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The carbon impact and associated carbon payback period of a wind farm are only one important consideration among many that Scottish Ministers must consider and balance before coming to a decision on a wind farm application. Ministers have therefore never refu…

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be an unacceptable carbon payback period in cases where wind farms are constructed on peatlands and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government do not consider that it is appropriate to set a threshold for the maximum acceptable carbon payback period of a wind farm because each development must be considered on its own merits, and carbon payback is only one consideration among…

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average, (b) minimum and (c) maximum carbon payback period is of wind farms for which the developers have used the Scottish Government’s carbon calculator and that have been consented by ministers.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The average, minimum and maximum carbon payback for wind farms for which developers have used the Scottish Government’s carbon calculator and that have been consented by Scottish Ministers are: Average 1.6 Minimum 1.3 Maximum 1.9

7 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many wind farms are (a) located on and (b) have consent to be constructed on areas of deep peat.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: There are no figures available that quantify wind farms located or consented on areas specifically of deep peat. However, there are an estimated 17 wind farm sites consented by Scottish Ministers that are located on areas where more than 60% of the soil on si…

11 Dec 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Living Streets campaign, Give us Time to Cross.

5 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to farmers to minimise the risk to insect pollinators from the use of (a) thiacloprid and (b) acetamiprid foliar sprays.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Under a crop health activity, which monitors Scottish crops for the presence of pests, weeds and diseases, funded by the Scottish Government, staff at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have provided advice to farmers on the safe use of pesticide products contai…

4 Dec 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role local authorities have in determining appropriate housing land supply.

28 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18051 by Keith Brown on 6 November 2013, where Babcock’s figures are published.

Answer · Keith Brown: The figures can be found in the environmental statement submitted by Babcock (section 6.5, a copy of which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre, Bib. number 55487) and in the report of the public local inquiry (page ii and in section 11) publishe…

28 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16742 by Richard Lochhead on 10 September 2013, how it will (a) monitor and (b) ensure compliance with the moratorium and what advice it is providing regarding the safe disposal of seeds treated with neonicotinoids.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: In Scotland the main implications of the restrictions will be for oilseed rape growers. Scottish Government staff have made sure that stakeholders were aware of the changes from 1 December 2013. This was done through different channels, including placing arti…

21 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many road traffic offences have been recorded in 2013 (a) in built-up areas, (b) in 20mph zones and (c) during the evening in built-up areas.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The police recorded crime statistics collected centrally are based on an aggregate return at local authority level, and do not distinguish the circumstances of the crime. As a result, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the type of area or the speed …

21 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding offences have been recorded in 2013 where the speed limit is (a) 20mph, (b) 30mph, (c) 60mph and (d) 70mph.

19 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has (a) received and (b) granted for the culling of mountain hare since 2011, broken down by (i) year, (ii) purpose and (iii) area.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Licences are required to control mountain hares at any time using certain otherwise prohibited means, or to kill them by any method during the “closed season”. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the licensing authority. SNH received one application for the c…

19 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it controls the culling of mountain hare.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Mountain hare are protected by a close season during which no culling can be carried out by any method except under licence granted by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Mountain hare are also covered by Regulation 41 of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.)…