Parliamentary questions
Mark McDonald
261 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Mar 2019 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider traffic management options for the A90/A944 junction.
20 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been distributed each year to each school in the Aberdeen City Council area in pupil equity funding, also broken down by the year-on-year change for each school.
Answer · John Swinney: The school level Pupil Equity Funding allocations for all three years of the funding from 2017-18 to 2019-20 are available on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/pupil-attainment/ and can be filtered by council area. It …
20 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding penalties have been issued each month on the A90 between Stonehaven and Dundee since the installation of average speed cameras, and how this compares to the equivalent time period prior to their introduction.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Average speed cameras (ASC) on the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven have encouraged a significant improvement in driver behaviour, with 99 out of every 100 vehicles now driving at speeds of 70mph or less. This is a significant improvement when considered aga…
14 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are in place to prevent disclosure of an accused's identity from compromising the safety of innocent parties.
4 Dec 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve adult oral health.
21 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish its response to the consultation, Adults with Incapacity Reform.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government published its response to the consultation on the reform of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland ) Act 2000 on the 16 th August 2018. Further details can be found in the Summary and analysis of consultation responses which can be acces…
13 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected completion date is for the Haudagain Improvement project.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The main construction contract for the A90/A96 Haudagain Improvement Project is expected to be awarded in December 2018 enabling work to commence shortly after. It is expected that the project will open to traffic in 2021 which will be three months later than…
16 Oct 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to NHS boards regarding end-of-life planning for people with MND.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: We have worked with Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop revised General Standards for Neurological Care and Support, to improve care for people with neurological conditions at all stages of their care journey. The draft standards, which are currently …
11 Oct 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date each section of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) will be opened, and when the road will be fully accessible to all vehicles.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Sections of the scheme have already opened to traffic, for example Craibstone and Dyce junctions at Aberdeen Airport and the 7km section of dual carriageway between Blackdog and Parkhill (Goval). More recently the section between Balmedie and Tipperty opened …
10 Oct 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions there have been between Transport Scotland and Aberdeen Roads Limited regarding the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is working closely with the contractor to open sections of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. In particular, I have instructed Transport Scotland to investigate the potential to open the 31.5km section of new road from Craibstone to …
3 Oct 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote and encourage the everyday use of the Scots language.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has made clear its support for our indigenous languages, including Scots. It is essential that those that wish to use the Scots language are given every opportunity to use the language of their choice. For many, Scots is the language o…
3 Oct 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the care and support provided to terminally ill patients by (a) NHS boards, (b) local authorities and (c) health and social care partnerships in order to ensure best practice.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: There are no specific plans to review the care and support of terminally ill people, which under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, is a delegated function of Integration Authorities. The Ministerial Strategic Group for Health and Communit…
3 Oct 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that patients with terminal illnesses are able to realise their wishes in respect of where they spend their final days.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care sets out a range of practical steps being taken to realise people’s wishes at the end of life. These steps include agreeing commissioning guidance, establishing a trai…
5 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for Employability and Training has had with the (a) Construction Industry Training Board, (b) Scottish Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship Council and (c) Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council regarding modern apprenticeships in constructi…
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I have participated in three discussions during the past year with the Construction Industry Training Board regarding modern apprenticeships in construction crafts and have also engaged with members from both the Scottish Painting and Decorating Apprenticeshi…
5 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations the Minister for Employability and Training has had from industry bodies regarding the modern apprenticeship in construction crafts skills test.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-17076 on 20 June 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…
16 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the availability of multi-disciplinary therapy for people with cerebral palsy at all stages of their life.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The role of the Scottish Government is to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS Boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, the actual provision of healthcare services, including st…
16 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that children who cannot speak (a) do not have to wait for assessment for augmentative and alternative communication equipment and (b) receive any equipment identified as necessary following an assessment without delay.
Answer · Maureen Watt: NHS Boards have a legislative duty to give children and adults, across all care groups, who have lost their voice, cannot speak or who have difficulty speaking, a right to the provision of communication equipment and support in using that equipment. It is fo…
16 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the entitlement to augmentative and alternative communication equipment under the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016, what steps it is taking to provide appropriate guidance for NHS boards to ensure that the provision of communication equipment is g…
Answer · Maureen Watt: NHS Boards have a legislative duty to give children and adults, across all care groups, who have lost their voice, cannot speak or who have difficulty speaking, a right to the provision of communication equipment and support in using that equipment. To suppo…
16 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure better co-ordination of care and services for people with cerebral palsy.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Personalised and integrated services for adults with cerebral palsy were strengthened further with the implementation of the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 and the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014.
17 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to (a) local authorities, (b) NHS boards and (c) health and social care partnerships regarding (i) diagnosis, (ii) eligibility for services and (iii) educational support in respect of pathological demand avoidance.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and young people with autism, under which PDA is categorised, to enable the right support to be put in place early and reduce the longer term impact. The Scottish Government has not issued guidance …
17 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is issued to NHS boards regarding the diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and young people with autism, under which PDA is categorised, to enable the right support to be put in place early and reduce the longer term impact. The Scottish Government has not issued guidance …
17 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is offered to parents seeking a diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance for their child.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and young people with autism, under which PDA is categorised, to enable the right support to be put in place early and reduce the longer term impact. We acknowledge that the complexity of autism, an…
17 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it recognises pathological demand avoidance as a condition in relation to eligibility for (a) additional support in education or (b) support via children's services.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and young people with autism, under which PDA is categorised, to enable the right support to be put in place early and reduce the longer term impact. The Scottish Government wants all children and y…
16 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the criminal justice system ensures that (a) victims, (b) witnesses, (c) suspects, (d) offenders and (e) jury members who have autism receive appropriate support.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a fair and effective justice system that is accessible to all. We recognise that people with autism may require additional support to enable them to secure that access. Under the Autism Strategy, the Scottish …
16 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported delay to the completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), when work will begin on the Haudagain Improvement Project.
Answer · Keith Brown: In my statement to Parliament on 22 March 2018, I advised that there is effectively a range of dates when the AWPR/B-T project road is likely to be open. The earliest date is likely to be towards the end of the summer period, however it may be more prudent to…
16 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update the Scottish Strategy for Autism.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the lives of autistic people in Scotland. In partnership with COSLA we have published the updated priorities for the next phase of the Scottish Strategy for Autism. This publication can be accessed at h…
14 Mar 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Fair Work Convention.
10 Mar 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what targets it expects Registers of Scotland to achieve in 2016-17.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Ministers have set the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland the financial targets of achieving: A three per cent efficiency saving on their unit costs; and An increase in Registers of Scotland’s commercial income of 5%. In addition, the keeper has …
10 Mar 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence exchanges it has had with the UK Government on the proposed reforms of the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, wrote to me on 4 February 2016 setting out proposals for reforming the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and enclosing a copy of the draft consultation paper and impact assessment. I responded on 24 …
7 Mar 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the benefits of the named person provision will be for children and families.