John Finnie

29 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to ensure that public transport vehicles are sufficiently warm for passengers during winter, and what minimum temperature it sets.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Bus design and vehicle construction is reserved to the UK Parliament however the internal temperature on-board buses and coaches is not an area that the Department for Transport regulates. There are no minimum or maximum temperature levels on buses and coach…

23 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-12453 by Fergus Ewing on 20 November 2017, which directorate the officials at each meeting represented; what the purpose was of their engagement, and what plans it has to engage with those opposed to the development.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: In relation to the engagements referred to in the answer to question S5W-12453, official attendance was as follows: 8 March – Directorate General for Economy 16 March – Directorate General for Economy, Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate, Environment …

16 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with (a) Spokes and (b) the Highland Cycle Campaign in each of the last three years; who attended, and what was discussed.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: On 15 June 2017, I met with Spokes and other road safety partners to discuss road safety. Those attending the meeting were Daisy Narayanan, and Paul Matthews, Sustrans, Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK, Keith Irving, Cycling Scotland, Dave du Feu, Spokes, Henry Whal…

16 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) establish and (b) address the causes of maritime litter.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government published the Marine Litter Strategy in 2014 setting out the approach to ensure the amount of litter entering the marine environment is minimised to bring ecological, economic and social benefits. There are over 40 action points listed…

14 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the schedule is for repairing its fleet of marine protection vessels.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Traditionally, Marine Scotland Compliance vessels entered dry dock every year in order to carry out all statutory surveys, along with hull cleaning and painting. Following the introduction of advanced high performance anti-fouling hull paint it is now possib…

14 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the carbon dioxide emissions from its fleet of marine protection vessels.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: CO2 emissions directly correspond to the actual fuel consumption of the fleet. When the fleet was last renewed, the best possible engines for fuel efficiency on the market at that time were bought with investment in diesel electric plant, which was at a high…

14 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend its fleet of marine protection vessels.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There are no current plans to extend the fleet of Marine Scotland Compliance vessels.

14 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it is carrying out of future demand for Gaelic medium education to ensure that it will be appropriately resourced.

Answer · John Swinney: The provision of resources for GME is a matter for local authorities. The SG has, however, put in place a number of measures to support authorities with the delivery of GME. In addition, SG officials meet regularly with local authority representatives and wit…

14 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11642 By Keith Brown on 24 October 2017, under what circumstances HIE would commission a reputational impact assessment, and for what reason it did not do so for this workshop. 

Answer · Keith Brown: This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked Charlotte Wright, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to contact you directly with the information you have requested.

14 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11640 by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2017, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm what assessment it has made of whether there are any potential additional threats posed to communities that contain premises involve…

Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government works closely with UKG, industry and resilience stakeholders in Scotland, to ensure that robust risk assessment arrangements are in place. The UK National Risk Assessment, the Scottish Risk Assessment and the Resilience Partnership Communi…

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the construction of a fixed link at Corran Narrows.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government recognises the important role that the Corran Narrows ferry plays in connecting the Morvern and Ardnamurchan peninsulas to the mainland. The operation of the service is the responsibility of The Highland Council, therefore any decision…

9 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the greater use of tunnels to address connectivity in rural and island areas.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-12185 on 7 November 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness…

6 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on the transfer of nuclear material to, from and within Scotland of a Brexit agreement not being reached with the EU, and what information it has on how long an International Atomic Energy Agency process of authorisation for the status quo would take.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The responsibility for the transportation of nuclear material to, from and within Scotland is reserved to the UK Government. We are in discussions with the UK Government on future arrangements for civil nuclear transport and other matters that arise from the …

2 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with the developers of the proposed Coul Links golf course; what was discussed, and what assurances it gave to the developers.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I met the developers on 31 August to hear about their proposals for a golf course at Coul Links. Officials met representatives of the developers on 8 March (for a site visit with Scottish Natural Heritage), on 16 March (with Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlan…

31 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it works with wildlife organisations to ensure that environmental protections are adhered to.

23 Oct 2017 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of institutional racism in Police Scotland.

18 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the financial implications of extending the legislative presumption against short periods of imprisonment from three to 12 months.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring criminal justice services have the resources they need, and I am committed to ensuring that available funding for criminal justice social work and support services is released as it becomes availab…

17 Oct 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the research by Sustrans, which suggests that around one million people in Scotland live in areas at risk of transport poverty.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport poverty is not acceptable in Scotland, which is why we invest over £1 billion annually in public and sustainable transport. We will take account of Sustrans research in our current review of the National Transport Strategy. In the Programme for Gove…

28 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment (a) it and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has made of the impact on the reputation of the Highlands and Islands of HIE hosting a free workshop to promote defence industries.

Answer · Keith Brown: HIE regularly holds workshops and other events that support local firms across its region to achieve and accelerate business growth. HIE would not routinely assess reputational risk attached to such events, and no assessment was made in this specific case.

28 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its support for companies involved in the design, manufacture or sale of armaments is consistent with its position on the Trident weapons system.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: While matters of defence are currently reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government believes that it is of paramount importance to ensure that appropriate defence and security capabilities are maintained, and that companies operating in Scotland hav…

28 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether there are any potential additional threats posed to communities that contain premises involved in the design, manufacture or sale of armaments.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Any premises involved in the manufacture or sale of armaments in Scotland will have been evaluated by Police Scotland as part of the licensing process under the Firearms Act 1968, as amended. The security of these premises would be considered as part of the e…

28 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding (a) it and (b) each of its enterprise agencies has provided to organisations involved in promoting peace and non-violence in each of the last five years.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Government overarching support for peace and non-violence is led by Scottish Ministers. Our Enterprise agencies provide support to a wide range of company investments in areas which contribute to sustainable development goals, such as sustainable ene…

28 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has or will consider having an ethical investment policy.

Answer · Keith Brown: ‘Global Scotland – Scotland’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2016-2021’ recognises the ‘growing demand from citizens and consumers and from NGOs and Governments for a responsible approach to business which considers human rights and economic, social and enviro…

21 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which of the recommendations made by the Expert Ferry Group it has (a) rejected and (b) accepted and (i) implemented and (ii) is yet to implement.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: To date the Expert Ferry Group has not published any specific group recommendations. Minutes of Expert Ferry Group meetings, indicating aspects which have been explored and discussed are published on the Transport Scotland website.

21 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the views of trade unions are represented on the Expert Ferry Group.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Membership of the Expert Ferry Group is on the basis of an individual’s knowledge and expertise rather than as a representative of a particular stakeholder group. Members of the Expert Ferry Group includes key transport professionals, academics and operators …

21 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that the Ferry Procurement Review could have on the (a) delivery and (b) cost of new vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides network.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The policy review is concerned with the future approach to the procurement of ferry service operators. The delivery and cost of new vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides will continue to be considered as part of the Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan (VRDP).…

21 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Expert Ferry Group has met since 2013, and on what date it will next meet.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Expert Ferry Group has met nine times since it was established. The next meeting of the Group is planned for later this year.

14 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10992 by James Wolffe QC on 24 August 2017, for what reason the Crown Office decided against prosecuting the football supporters from the Netherlands who were accused of assault and vandalism in Glasgow in November 2015 in favour of them being prose…

Answer · James Wolffe QC: This case was fully investigated by Police Scotland and COPFS. After liaison with the Dutch authorities and full consideration of all the facts and circumstances, a report was submitted for Crown Counsel’s consideration and a decision made that the Dutch auth…

5 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason, given that the changes proposed by the National Farmers Union Scotland to the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme were cost neutral, it remains unchanged.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Under EU Regulations governing the scheme, the changes proposed by NFUS would require a modification to the rules for granting the support, and as such would have to be notified to Europe. Unfortunately the Regulations only provided one opportunity to submit …

5 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of Orkney Ferries’ funding was met by (a) local government and (b) Transport Scotland in each year since 2010-11, also broken down by how much funding was provided.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Responsibility for Orkney’s internal ferry services rests with Orkney Islands Council. Orkney Ferries is owned by Orkney Islands Council. Funding provided by the Scottish Government to local authorities is allocated using a needs-based formula. There is no s…