Colin Keir

16 Jun 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school leavers are given the best opportunity to go on to a positive destination.

19 May 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what issues it needs to address in light of the devolution of additional tax-raising powers.

11 May 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the recent safety checks on the Forth Road Bridge.

22 Apr 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what help is available to local authorities to upgrade infrastructure to support new housing and commercial developments.

13 Apr 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the rural affairs directorate is helping farms and other rural businesses take advantage of the opportunities arising from the tourism industry.

9 Mar 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Edinburgh Airport report, The impact of reducing APD on Scotland’s airports.

16 Feb 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an up-to-date estimate of PFI and PPP costs in the Edinburgh Western parliamentary constituency.

5 Jan 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what improvements will be made to commuter rail services into Edinburgh as a result of the awarding of the franchise to Abellio, which is due to take effect from April 2015.

2 Dec 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the youth employment trends are in the Edinburgh Western constituency.

18 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been discussions regarding bringing forward work on the rollout of superfast broadband for Kirkliston and South Queensferry scheduled for late 2015.

12 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with representatives of women suffering with endometriosis.

Answer · Michael Matheson: At a parliamentary reception for Endometriosis UK in March 2014, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing pledged the Scottish Government’s support to review and improve endometriosis services in Scotland. Subsequently, a meeting was held with Endometr…

5 Nov 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of youth antisocial behaviour in western Edinburgh including joyriding and motorcycle theft.

29 Oct 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out a joint traffic assessment with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding long-term pressures on the three main western road approaches to the city.

12 Aug 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether a review has been carried out on how effective the Queensferry Crossing consultation forums have been in dealing with local groups and people.

6 Aug 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of future local government finance following the result of the referendum.

7 May 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how universities could progress in an independent Scotland.

22 Apr 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to attract general practitioners to rural towns and villages.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I can assure you that the Scottish Government recognises the current challenges in remote and rural practice and is committed to ensuring that all communities in Scotland receive high quality and sustainable health care services. The Scottish Government cont…

16 Apr 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development regarding Scotland’s additional coupled support entitlement.

26 Feb 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to bring forward proposals regarding the regulation of taxis and private hires.

15 Jan 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received an update from the UK Government regarding the future use of European arrest warrants in Scotland.

7 Jan 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact would be of the proposals on childcare outlined in the white paper on independence.

6 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many whole time equivalent staff were employed by NHS Lothian (a) at the highest point on record and (b) in September 2013.

Answer · Alex Neil: The number of whole time equivalent staff employed by NHS Lothian (excluding General Practitioners and General Dental services) is 19,069.1 as at 30 September 2013. This is the highest number of staff in NHS Lothian on record. The number of staff employed b…

4 Dec 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to mitigate against the impact of the cancellation of the fixed broadband capital infill programme of the UK Government's Super Connected Cities broadband initiative.

20 Nov 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence there is that the Community Councils Short-life Working Group recommendation that "there is continued drive aimed at the community and Community Councils for contested Community Council elections" has been achieved in the recent community council elections.

25 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether rising primary school intakes are affecting the deliverability of smaller class sizes in early years schooling.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Class size limits are set either in statute, for example in Primary 1, 2, and 3, or in teachers’ terms and conditions of employment. We have a shared commitment with local authorities that teacher numbers will be maintained in line with pupil numbers. This m…

28 Aug 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment Transport Scotland has made of medium and long-term traffic volumes at the M8/M9 interchange at Newbridge.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Strategic Transport Project Review assessed the future performance of the transport network across Scotland. In the Newbridge area we are delivering the Queensferry Crossing (including a bus lane on the M9) and the Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvement P…

5 Jun 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for the ambitions set out in Scotland's Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland of the UK Government's super-connected cities initiative funding for Edinburgh not meeting state aid rules.

28 May 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration has been given to using a financial model for regional parks based on that used for national parks.

1 May 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding devolving air passenger duty.

16 Apr 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any increase in borrowing by financial institutions to provide support to small businesses.

Answer · John Swinney: The National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS) and the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) provide cheap loans to the real economy, including to SME’s. Under the NLGS over 28,000 cheaper loans worth over £4.8bn have already been offered to businesses across the UK. …