Mike MacKenzie

25 Nov 2013 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what was discussed at the recent meeting of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.

11 Nov 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the interim report by Sir Ian Wood on the oil and gas industry.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is fully supportive of the recommendations within Sir Ian Wood’s report. We believe that It is essential that the recommendations are implemented with speed, and that a shadow body be set up rather than await the outcome of primary leg…

31 Oct 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the ScotRail Franchise Renewal Programme.

Answer · Keith Brown: I am delighted to advise that we remain on schedule. The Final Invitation to Tender for the Caledonian Sleeper franchise was published on 28 October and the bidders, Arriva, First Group and Serco, are to set out their proposals in their response to the Final …

16 Sep 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s consultation on providing additional support for renewables on Scotland’s islands.

16 Sep 2013 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what benefits the recently announced development in the Pentland Firth of the largest tidal array in Europe will bring to the marine renewable energy industry.

9 Sep 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to achieve access to high speed broadband across the Highlands and Islands.

9 Sep 2013 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent Bank of Scotland Purchasing Managers' Index survey.

26 Aug 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what opportunities it considers independence would bring for increased consumer protection.

12 Aug 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out its proposals for a system of consumer protection and representation in an independent Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government will publish a discussion paper on possible options for consumer protection and representation in an independent Scotland on 13 August 2013. A copy will be lodged with SPICe under bib number 55162. We have already set out proposals de…

27 Jun 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the consultation on the draft electricity generating policy statement.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government published an initial draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement (EGPS) in November 2010, to support our Climate Change Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP). The RPP is required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to set o…

25 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the implementation of Ofgem's reforms to Project TransmiT and what assessment it has carried out of what the impact would be of any delays to this.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The conclusion and implementation of Project TransmiT is a matter to be determined by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). Ofgem is reviewing a final set of recommendations which were published in June 2013 by the industry led Connection and Use…

17 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of probationary teachers finding employment.

3 Jun 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the final report of the Scottish Islands Renewable Project.

23 May 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the country's protected sites are in favourable condition.

20 May 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to minimise the negative economic impact on farmers and crofters of the presence of large numbers of geese in the Outer and Inner Hebrides and the Northern Isles.

13 May 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2013.

9 May 2013 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the Scottish banking strategy.

Answer · John Swinney: Sustainable, Responsible Banking: A Strategy for Scotland has been published today on the Scottish Government website at: (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/05/3325), a copy has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (bib 5494…

15 Apr 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of Daktari Diagnostics locating its manufacturing site in Inverness.

11 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made since 2007 on delivering healthcare to rural and remote areas.

21 Jan 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the impact that potential court closures may have on island communities in relation to travel.

7 Jan 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on expediting the proposed new subsea power cables to the Western Isles and Orkney.

28 Nov 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, following the introduction of the Energy Bill by the UK Government, what its position is in relation to the proposals for electricity market reform.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The UK Government’s Electricity Market Reform (EMR) programme today reached an important milestone with the introduction of the UK Energy Bill into the UK Parliament. The UK coalition Government has also recently reached the agreement level of market support …

19 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the number of applications to Scottish universities compares with the rest of the UK.

22 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures in the 2013-14 draft budget will help support the construction sector.

Answer · John Swinney: To support the construction industry and inject growth into the economy we will provide an immediate stimulus to the construction industry of £40 million through investment in affordable housing. We have increased the number of schools being built through Sco…

25 Sep 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for tendering the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.

Answer · Keith Brown: Tendering for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract will begin in the autumn of 2014. This will allow for the completion of the Ferries Plan and will ensure that the Scottish Government’s policy objectives are fully accounted for the in the tend…

24 Sep 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the historic built environment in the Highlands and Islands, given the increase in funding to Historic Scotland as set out in the draft budget 2013-14.

6 Jun 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve dialysis facilities for patients in rural areas.

2 May 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the integration of health and social care.

28 Mar 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it provides to towns and villages whose historic built environment has fallen into disrepair.

7 Mar 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has had with ministerial colleagues to assess any difficulties faced by island-based farmers in respect of haulage charges for agricultural supplies, produce and livestock.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Ministers have had a number of discussions about the Ferries Review, including consideration of fare setting for services in the future. As you know the government is currently consulting on our Draft Ferries Plan, published for consultation on 21 December 20…