Paul Wheelhouse

17 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been each year under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering, and what proportion of those convicted received a (a) disqualification and (b) deprivation order.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table. People Convicted under Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 20061 Section of Act: 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 SECTION 19(1) 0 5 14 17 13 SECTION 19(2) 2 38 51 87 5…

27 Jun 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been given to assist areas identified by the Scottish Funding Council as having low participation rates in further education.

16 May 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what forums exist for it to represent Scottish international trade interests to governments in export markets.

10 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place across all NHS boards for diagnosing and treating Dystonia.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A key way of improving healthcare services is by implementing clinical standards. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has developed clinical standards for neurological health services, including generic standards which are applicable to people living with dystoni…

10 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to shorten the diagnosis time for Dystonia, which, according to the Dystonia Society, can take up to four years.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: We want to ensure that everyone living with a neurological condition, including dystonia, are diagnosed as quickly as possible so they can receive access to care and support they need, when they need it. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has developed clinical…

10 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it (a) is taking, (b) could take, and (c) will take to raise awareness of Dystonia amongst public sector agencies and wider society.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHSScotland has invested in online resources such as the NHS Inform website, which provides clear and accessible information on the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of dystonia. This can be accessed at the following link: http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/Health-Lib…

9 May 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is provided to community-led regeneration in South Scotland.

8 May 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative consent motions it will lodge in connection with the legislative programme to be announced in the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: In accordance with the Sewel Convention, the UK Parliament does not legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. This is an important part of the devolution settlement, which acknowledges the special c…

2 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to alter the speed limit for HGVs on A-roads and, if so, for what reason.

Answer · Keith Brown: We currently have no plans to alter the speed limits applying to HGVs on A roads, although we do now have the power to do so under the Scotland Act 2012.

2 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Road Haulage Association regarding raising the speed limit for HGVs on A-roads.

Answer · Keith Brown: Officials from Transport Scotland meet representatives of the Road Haulage Association periodically. Speed limits for HGVs on A-roads has been one of many issues discussed.

2 May 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the speed limits on A-roads.

Answer · Keith Brown: In 2006, the Scottish Government issued guidance to local authorities on setting local speed limits. Authorities were asked to review speed limits on all A and B class roads in their area by the end of 2011. Transport Scotland has in parallel been reviewing s…

25 Apr 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in implementing the Farm Watch scheme across the Lothians and Borders police force area, in order to reduce the impact of crime on local farmers.

28 Mar 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides for people who wish to purchase original pieces of Scottish craft from accredited producers.

8 Feb 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will hold to account those NHS boards that are not meeting clinical standards in neurological health services so that there is a consistent service across Scotland, including in rural areas.

8 Feb 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties receive reduced or zero business rates under its rates relief package in each local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: The following table shows the percentage of non-domestic properties in receipt of business rates relief, as at 1 April 2011. Proportion of all Non-domestic Properties in Receipt of Rates Relief (SBBS, Rural, Charity, Religious, Disabled, Sporting, Empty, Ren…

25 Jan 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the recent announcement of Total Income From Farming increase means for Scottish farming.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The 4.1% increase in farm incomes in 2011 is good news for Scottish farming. It builds on the 25% increase seen in 2010 and this trend is generating optimism in the industry, which is at a 16-year high according to the recent Lloyds Bank Group agricultural su…

14 Dec 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that all temporary accommodation offered to families is of a suitable standard.

12 Dec 2011 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is the First Minister's intention to publish a new edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: By convention, the Scottish Ministerial Code is revised at the commencement of each new parliamentary term, and the 2011 edition will be published today. The Code, which was last revised in June 2008, provides a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for …

16 Nov 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage greater use of resident satisfaction surveys as evidence for local authorities to inform and develop single outcome agreements.

2 Nov 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides for the development of local combined heat and power biomass energy plants.

19 Oct 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to promote further and higher education in the south of Scotland.

29 Sep 2011 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the progress is of the review of protective barriers in building regulations.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government has completed its review of this aspect of the building regulations, which was initiated as a result of the tragic circumstances of the death of 21 month old Ben McCreath. From October 2011, revised guidance applies to protective barri…

5 Sep 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to boost economic growth.

10 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Honours Group were from July 1999 to May 2007.

10 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership of the Honours Group is; what the group’s remit is, and to whom it reports.

10 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many and (b) what ministerial nominations for an honour were made from July 1999 to May 2007.

29 Jun 2011 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult on the changes to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government, along with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations, published a vision for the way ahead in terms of simplifying the CRC scheme on 30 June 2011. This vision sets out the main simplifications that government would like…

22 Jun 2011 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to extend the protection afforded to sharks, skates and rays (elasmobranchs).

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Executive is currently in the process of creating a Scottish Statutory Instrument on the protection of elasmobranchs (i.e. sharks, skates and rays) to include all species that are prohibited or have a zero total allowable catch under European leg…

15 Jun 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it and the Scottish Funding Council invested in research and development in the south of Scotland in 2010-11 and what share this represented of such investment across Scotland.

8 Jun 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been achieved in assessing the business case for re-establishing local rail services between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.