Parliamentary questions
Joan McAlpine
270 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Nov 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how Scottish independence would improve economic circumstances in rural Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government believes that independence is the key to economic success. Full control over economic and fiscal powers will unlock our potential, boost business growth and create sustainable, fairly-rewarded jobs across rural Scotland, including Dumf…
21 Oct 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress it has made in reducing the number of deaths from fires.
15 Oct 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) retailers and (b) the farming sector regarding the use of substitute or synthetic egg products and whether it plans to discuss with the Food Standards Agency the labelling of such products.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government together with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) currently has no plans to hold specific discussions with retailers and the farming sector concerning the use of substitute or synthetic egg products or the labelling of such products.
10 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's decision not to recommend the introduction of the meningitis B vaccine.
3 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what environmental impact the proposed coal bed methane extraction at Canonbie will have on the town and the surrounding area.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: An assessment of the environmental impact of the coalbed methane proposal was set out in the environmental statement associated with the planning application. Findings from the environmental statement revealed that there are no designations regarding ecology…
17 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve numeracy in the later years of primary school.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: We are committed to improving numeracy levels in Scotland and monitoring performance through the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy. In response to the numeracy survey published last year, Education Scotland published a suite of practical resources to s…
3 May 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on implementing Scotland's Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan.
22 Apr 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support Dumfries and Galloway has received from the CashBack for Communities scheme.
15 Apr 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what can be done to boost employment opportunities in Dumfries and Galloway.
8 Apr 2013 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect golden eagles.
18 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve road and rail journey times from Dumfries to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
25 Feb 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth supports investment in large-scale public art projects as a means of generating jobs and boosting economic growth.
18 Feb 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding college education for people with learning disabilities.
6 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban beak trimming in poultry in line with UK plans to do so by 2016 and whether it has considered the impact of such a decision on the welfare of birds in relation to injurious pecking and feather loss and the consequences for egg producers.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not committed to a ban on beak trimming by 2016. We understand that Defra have committed to review the evidence on beak trimming and to look at the feasibility of introducing a ban in England in 2016. The Scottish Government’s lon…
6 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the impact of the Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations 2010 on the poultry industry and, if so, what can be done to mitigate any such impact.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not received any approaches from the poultry industry regarding any effect of the Gangmaster Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations 2010 on the industry. The Gangmaster Licensing Authority function is reserved to Westminster.
21 Jan 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making the Scots Pine Scotland's national tree.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: If Scotland is to have a national tree then the Scots pine as an easily identifiable and iconic species may be a good option. However I am keen to hear the views of the public on this and look forward to seeing of the Public Petitions Committee report on the …
17 Dec 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Creative Scotland will appoint a new chief executive.
10 Dec 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it considers single-bed hospital wards will bring to patient care and wellbeing.
Answer · Alex Neil: The provision of single room patient accommodation will bring a number of improvements to patient care and well being, including better infection control, reduced length of stay, reduction in the incidence of medical errors, improved patient satisfaction, and…
19 Nov 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Ofcom regarding the rebranding of commercial radio stations in Scotland and the level of Scotland-specific content that they broadcast.
12 Nov 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to explore the role of liquid air energy storage in developing Scotland's low-carbon economy.
29 Oct 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding the economic and employment benefits of the national grid upgrade in South Scotland.
22 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how universal benefits contribute to its preventative spending agenda.
10 Sep 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to egg producers.
3 Sep 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what key events are planned for the 2012-13 winter festivals programme.
11 Jul 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government in what sectors modern apprenticeships were created in Dumfriesshire in 2011-12.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this level of detailed information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you with this information.
11 Jul 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much money was spent on modern apprenticeships in Dumfries and Galloway in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2006.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you with this information.
11 Jul 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships were created in Dumfries and Galloway in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2006.
Answer · Angela Constance: Please see below the figures for modern apprenticeship (MA) starts in Dumfries and Galloway in 2006-07 and 2011-12: MA starts, Dumfries and Galloway 2006-07 2011-12 415 960
11 Jul 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much money was spent on modern apprenticeships in the (a) Annandale East and Eskdale, (b) Annandale North, (c) Annandale South, (d) Nith, (e) Lochar and (f) Mid and Upper Nithsdale ward in (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2006.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this level of detailed information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you with this information.
11 Jul 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships were created in the (a) Annandale East and Eskdale, (b) Annandale North, (c) Annandale South, (d) Nith, (e) Lochar and (f) Mid and Upper Nithsdale ward in (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2006.
Answer · Angela Constance: Skills Development Scotland (SDS), who have operational responsibility for national training programmes including modern apprenticeships (MAs), do not gather statistical information broken down as far as council ward level. MA start numbers in Dumfries and G…
27 Jun 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding will be available in future to build homes similar to those on the Dormont estate near Lockerbie at affordable rent for people in rural areas.
Answer · Keith Brown: Each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities has now received a share of almost £582 million in subsidy over the next three-years to deliver affordable homes in their area. The funding will be used to encourage councils and housing associations to build greener ho…