Parliamentary questions
John Finnie
1,255 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Jan 2015 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage industry to move from road haulage to rail freight.
21 Jan 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that each stage of upgrading the A9 will be used as an opportunity to install English/Gaelic bilingual road signs.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland will take forward a strategy for implementation of bilingual signs for advanced directional signs on the A9 primarily on the basis of opportunities created by programmed improvement works or planned maintenance. This is in line with the aim…
7 Jan 2015 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what consideration it has given to the exposure of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme to the so-called carbon bubble risk described in Scottish Environment LINK’s report, Scotland and the Carbon Bubble, and whether it is confident that the scheme's managers are c…
Answer · John Pentland: The Trustees of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme (SPPS) appointed Baillie Gifford as Fund Manager for the scheme and have delegated the responsibility for day to day investment management to them. The pension contributions are invested in 'pooled' fu…
7 Jan 2015 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any restraints placed on the delivery of primary healthcare as a result of the General Medical Services contract and how these might impact on accident and emergency services.
23 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with those responsible for nuclear power generation in Scotland about what lessons they have learnt following the so-called cyber-attack on nuclear facilities in South Korea and what reassurance it can give on public safety.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Nuclear security is a reserved matter. The Scottish Government works closely with the UK Government, the Office for Nuclear Regulation – the independent security regulator – and industry to ensure security measures at civil nuclear sites in Scotland are of th…
18 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many of Scotland’s regulated public bodies (a) own, (b) lease and (c) contract drones and for what purposes.
Answer · John Swinney: In total there are currently five devolved public bodies in Scotland making use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support their particular needs. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) does not own or lease any UAVs, but on two occasions HIE has contract…
12 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, until a decision is made about their future, whether it will give an assurance that the two fields that it plans to dispose of at its farm at Knocknagael, Inverness will remain in agricultural use.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Discussions are on-going as to the future of this land and until such time as a decision is made, the two fields in question will remain in agricultural use.
11 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the level of active travel carried out by its staff when travelling to and from work.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government carried out a staff travel survey in 2012. The survey results can be viewed online: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/01/2595
11 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in achieving its aspiration set out in A More Active Scotland: Building a Legacy from the Commonwealth Games to become “an exemplary employer in encouraging staff to be more physically active” and how it measures this.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is fully committed to the vision of A More Active Scotland in ensuring that the people of Scotland, including Scottish Government employees, will enjoy more active and healthier lives. We have created a physical activity hub that prov…
11 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many bicycles and what (b) cycling training it provides for (i) ministers and (ii) its staff.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government runs a salary sacrifice scheme for staff to purchase bikes to commute to work. We also offer bicycle maintenance appointments free of charge to staff in our main buildings twice a year.
11 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost to calculate the figures set out in its document, Scotland Government Travel Strategy 2011-2016, and how much it would cost to collate similar information for travel by bicycle.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government Travel Strategy 2011-2016 document does not hold figures itself. The cost of the document’s production will therefore be the staff hours taken to draft it. It is therefore not possible to put a cost on the collation of similar informat…
11 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23410 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 December 2014, whether it will nonetheless carry out an equality impact assessment of the decision of Historic Scotland not to schedule the Tinkers’ Heart as a monument of national importance, and what the reasons are for…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As I explained previously, equality impact assessment is applied to new or revised plans, policies and strategies, but is not normally applied to individual operational decisions, such as which monuments and structures to designate. However, the Chief Execut…
10 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will demand that the Highland Chieftain Inverness to King's Cross service will be allocated a nine coach set throughout the year once the new InterCity Express trains are introduced and not limited to a five coach set in winter.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Yes. We have had broad assurance from the Department for Transport (DfT) that the current levels of service provision will be maintained in the new InterCity East Coast franchise. Specific advice from DfT, however, is that there is no specific obligation on …
10 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek assurances from the new rail franchisee that the new InterCity Express trains will be sufficiently powerful to climb the gradients between Perth and Inverness at the same speed as the current models on this route.
Answer · Derek Mackay: We do not currently have information on the sectional running times of the InterCity Express trains over the Perth to Inverness route. We are aware of concerns about the performance of these trains, as you have highlighted, and have sought clarification from …
10 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will raise with the new East Coast franchisee the need for all InterCity Express trains to be used between King's Cross and Inverness to be built with the galley option to service hot food to all passengers.
Answer · Derek Mackay: As noted in my response to the answer to question S4W-23610 on 23 December 2014, we have provided comprehensive advice to the Department for Transport on this issue. Officials have also discussed this requirement with all bidders for the InterCity East Coast …
10 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that the new franchise for the East Coast rail route will provide a higher level of hot food availability for passengers north of Edinburgh on the Highland Chieftain service between King's Cross and Inverness.
Answer · Derek Mackay: In December 2012 the Scottish Government provided a letter of advice to the UK Government on its requirements of the InterCity East Coast franchise. This included advice on the need for continued and improved catering provision for passengers travelling north…
10 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02812 by the Lord Advocate on 22 January 2014 (Official Report, c. 26845), what progress has been made by the investigation on the use of Scotland's airports for rendition flights and whether the terms of the investigation will be amended in light o…
Answer · Frank Mulholland: Since I last commented on the investigation on the use of Scotland's airports for rendition flights, I can confirm that an interim report has been provided by Police Scotland, outlining the information they have gathered to date in particular in relation to t…
1 Dec 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21576 by Paul Wheelhouse on 19 June 2014, what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government about producing a plan to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels.
Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on matters concerning air quality, although we have not had any specific recent discussions on this particular issue. We are still awaiting feedback from the European Commission on the UK r…
28 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on delivering the commitment in the SNP 2011 manifesto regarding an environmental court.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of environmental justice. It is wholly committed to having appropriate structures in place to protect our environment which enable the best decisions to be made around activities that affect it. As regards to the…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government to what extent ministers are accountable to the Parliament for the actions of its agencies and non-ministerial departments.
Answer · Alex Neil: Ministers are accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the functions and performance of agencies. The chief executives of agencies are answerable to ministers for the operation of agencies, their day-to-day management and for planning their future developme…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Historic Scotland staff have received awareness training about the traditions of (a) the Gypsy/Traveller community and (b) other groups.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Historic Scotland approaches diversity from a broad perspective, seeking to address and celebrate the full spectrum of cultural diversity. Historic Scotland consistently retains this as a core principle throughout its development programmes in seeking to enha…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to recognise the role of the language, Scottish Cant, in Scotland's culture and history.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government recognises the important role that languages such as Scottish Cant play in Scotland’s culture and heritage and in the identity of indigenous communities. There are a number of initiatives in place which aim to make progress with priori…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that Historic Scotland takes due regard of the traditions of (a) the Gypsy/Traveller community and (b) other groups in its decision-making.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Historic Scotland addresses and celebrates the full spectrum of cultural diversity in all of its activities, the Gypsy/Traveller community falls within this. The success of this approach is endorsed by the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, which state…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government, (b) Welsh Government, (c) Northern Ireland Executive and (d) Government of Ireland about how Gypsy/Traveller traditions should be recognised.
Answer · Alex Neil: We have not had any discussions with the governments mentioned about how Gypsy/Traveller traditions should be recognised as yet.
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it consults the Roma community.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government provides funding to Friends of Romano Lav, an organisation working to develop capacity among the Roma community in Glasgow. Scottish Government officials meet regularly with representatives from Friends of Romano Lav to discuss progres…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22276 by Shona Robison on 19 August 2014, what plans it has to assess the effectiveness of how it consults the Gypsy/Traveller community.
Answer · Alex Neil: We have no plans to formally assess the effectiveness of the Scottish Government consultation with the Gypsy/Traveller community. However, implementation of the forthcoming strategy for Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland may include further work on methods of engag…
24 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the equality impact assessment of the decision by Historic Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, not to schedule the Tinkers’ Heart in Argyll as a monument of national importance.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The requirements for equality impact assessment are laid out in The Equality Act (2010) Specific Duties (Scotland) Regulations 2012. In line with the regulations, the equality impact assessment is applicable to new or revised plans, policies and strategies, b…
20 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provision it has made for cyclists on the planned dualled section of the A96
Answer · Keith Brown: Suitable provision for non-motorised users, including cyclists, is an important part of the A96 dualling programme. The preferred option for the A96 Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) was announced on 3 October 2014. Non-motorised user facilities wil…
20 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many miles ministers have travelled on official business by bicycle in each of the last three years.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate costs. The Scottish Government continually looks for ways to minimise the use of cars for official journeys and ministers take their responsibility to travel sustainably very seriously and …
20 Nov 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to assess the level of surveillance that people in Scotland can be subjected to.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act is subject to continual and ongoing assessment by the independent Office of Surveillance Commissioners.