Parliamentary questions
John Finnie
1,255 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Nov 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the outcomes were of the President of Turkey's recent visit to Scotland.
23 Oct 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve safety for cyclists.
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that, in addition to French, German and Spanish, the SCHOLAR programme provides for Advanced Higher Gaelic.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: SCHOLAR, a Heriot-Watt University programme providing online learning resources for National Qualifications courses to Scottish secondary schools, is receiving Education Scotland funding to align existing resources with the new Curriculum for Excellence devel…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what encouragement it is giving to the establishment of more standalone Gaelic schools.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government is committed to the expansion of Gaelic medium education through support to local authorities who wish to establish new units and schools in their areas. Every encouragement is being given to the establishment of more standalone school…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to bring forward legislation offering a statutory entitlement to Gaelic education.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has a manifesto commitment to consider a parental right to Gaelic medium education. We are currently at the very early stages of considering how this commitment can be developed and taken forward. We will consult on any proposals.
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that a course, similar to Ceumannan, is made available to students fluent in the Gaelic language.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Ceumannan is an excellent course for Gaelic learner education at secondary level. A multi-year project is on the current Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig publishing programme. The aim is to produce a suite of graded materials comprising of new and existing mate…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it has set for the development of Gaelic education.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government is working continually with partners to ensure that Gaelic education is developed and expanded across the country. It is essential that this work is carried out in a manner that addresses local needs and demands. The Scottish Governme…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many teachers trained to teach Gaelic-medium education have moved to teaching in English at the conclusion of their probationary period since 2007 because there was no full-time post available in Gaelic.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: This information is not held centrally.
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have cited lack of teachers as a reason for denying access to Gaelic-medium education.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: We have received no formal approaches from any local authority citing lack of teachers as a reason for denying access to Gaelic Medium Education. However, we are aware of the difficulties in the recruitment and retention of teachers in the Gaelic medium secto…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to outline the differences between Gaelic-medium education and Gaelic learners’ education and the outcomes that could be expected from each.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The differences between Gaelic medium education and Gaelic learners’ education have been briefly dealt with in legislation of the Scottish Parliament. For Gaelic medium pupils we hope to ensure that young people are both equally confident in the use of both G…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it would give prospective parents of a pupil in Gaelic-medium education as to the length of time their child should be immersed in Gaelic.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: This is currently a matter for local authority decision making. However, there is a consensus in the Gaelic medium sector that the initial immersion phase should extend from P1 to P3 and that Gaelic should continue to be the dominant medium of learning up to …
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it started production of, and what plans it has to publish, statutory guidance on Gaelic education.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has asked Education Scotland to prepare National Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education. This process started in 2012. Education Scotland are working closely with all interested parties on this including Bòrd na Gaidhlig, local authoritie…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what outcomes it envisages from Gaelic-medium education.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government wants to see a rising number of children in Gaelic Medium Education, and that this should play an important part on stabilising and growing the number of Gaelic speakers nationally. From an individual learners journey and as identifie…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its definition is of Gaelic-medium education.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Gaelic medium education has been defined in recent acts of the Scottish Parliament, including the Gaelic (Scotland) Act 2005 and Schools (Consultation) Act 2010, as “teaching by means of the Gaelic language as spoken in Scotland”. The Scottish Government is c…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role single outcome agreements play in the delivery of the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: In line with Scottish Government/COSLA guidance issued in December 2012 single outcome agreements (SOA) set out the key priorities and outcomes for each Community Planning Partnership (CPP) and how partners are going to work together to deliver those outcomes…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure the visibility of Gaelic at major events such as the Commonwealth Games, the Year of Homecoming and the Ryder Cup.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: It is important that Gaelic is visible at these major events and that is why both myself and officials are making the necessary representations to responsible delivery bodies.
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to strengthen the delivery of the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The National Gaelic Language Plan is key to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s ambitions for Gaelic in Scotland. We will ensure that National Gaelic Language Plan priorities are at the centre of our Gaelic activity and, along with other key partners, w…
1 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which minister has responsibility to ensure that the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17 is delivered.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: As Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages I have overall responsibility to ensure that National Gaelic Language Plan commitments are met. However, other ministerial portfolios, authorities and bodies across Scotland also have a role to play i…
26 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on chaplaincy and spiritual care in each year since 2007.
Answer · Alex Neil: This information is not held centrally. NHS boards will be able to provide local information on spend on chaplaincy and spiritual care. It is the responsibility of NHS boards, through a credible analysis of need within their respective areas to ensure that s…
24 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding weight restrictions on bridges that would require tilting trains to reduce their speed; which bridges it has identified as requiring tilting trains to reduce their speed, and what remedial work will be undertaken as a result.
Answer · Keith Brown: No specific discussions have been held with Network Rail regarding weight restrictions on bridges that would require tilting trains to reduce their speed. It will be for bidders for the next ScotRail franchise to propose a rolling stock, timetable and servic…
24 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the possible inclusion of tilting trains in the next ScotRail franchise.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-17457 on 3 October 2013. 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/Apps2/Busines…
24 Sep 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand community ownership of Scotland's natural assets.
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will include a requirement for a carriage or carriages to carry motor vehicles in the Caledonian Sleeper Service franchise.
Answer · Keith Brown: There is no requirement in the Caledonian Sleeper Service franchise for a carriage, or carriages, to carry motor vehicles; however it is not precluded if Bidders were to consider that it enhanced their offer.
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government to whom a person detained in Scotland under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 can complain about their treatment.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Operational matters, including the investigation of complaints, are a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Persons who are examined or detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 should therefore make any complaints about their treatment…
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government to whom a Police Scotland officer using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 would be required to report their actions.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: As in any other operational matter, the normal reporting arrangements for Police Scotland officers would require to be followed where the decision to examine or detain and individual is taken.
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ask Police Scotland on how many occasions since 2010 police officers have used powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government does not have any plans to request information on the operational matters relating to Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the UK Government. These figures are not reported regionall…
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has ever requested information on the number of people detained at Scottish airports, or any subsequent charges or convictions, under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government does not collect or hold statistics on the number of people detained, charged or convicted under the Terrorism Act 2000 as this is a matter for the UK Government. The figures are not reported regionally due to the national security imp…
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice the Lord Advocate has issued regarding use of Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Answer · Frank Mulholland: The Lord Advocate has not issued any formal advice regarding the use of Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. A code of practice for examining officers is produced by the Home Office as the Terrorism Act 2000 is UK wide and relates to reserved matters. Genera…
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a Police Scotland officer can be subject to operational direction from a member of the (a) security services and (b) UK Border Agency.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Police Service of Scotland officers are not subject to operational direction from the security service or UK Border Agency.
20 Sep 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who (a) would take the decision to and (b) can detain someone in Scotland under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: An “examining officer” as defined by the Terrorism Act 2000 may make the decision to detain someone under Schedule 7. An “examining officer” is defined as a police constable, an immigration officer, or a customs officer who is designated for the purpose of Sc…