Parliamentary questions
Douglas Ross
343 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to close any fire stations.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: No. The allocation of resources, including the number and location of fire stations, is a matter for the SFRS.
19 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many fire engines have been removed from service due to staff unavailability in the last year; what review it has carried out of this, and how it plans to reduce the number.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to ensure adequate arrangements for fire and rescue services in all 32 of Scotland’s local authority areas and, as required by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (as a…
19 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the current stock of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service equipment will become obsolete.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government is significantly increasing SFRS’s capital budget from £10.8m this year to £32.5m next year which recognises the need for continued renewal of fleet, equipment, properties and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The provi…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the Lord Advocate on 9 December 2016 that "there continue to be systemic aspects of the criminal justice system, which cause difficulties for victims."
Answer · Michael Matheson: The support and protection of victims and witnesses is a key priority for the criminal justice system in Scotland and must always be balanced with the protection of the fundamental rights of the accused. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is comm…
8 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the sustainability of rural fire stations.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to ensure that there are adequate arrangements in place for the carrying out of its functions in each local authority area. The Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016,…
8 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the reported number of secondary appliances taken “off the run” due to staffing shortages in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provides a vital service in keeping communities across Scotland safe. Through the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, the Scottish Government sets out its expectations of the SFRS, including prioritising its us…
7 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Police Authority and its committees carry out their functions in ways that are proportionate, accountable and transparent and consistent with principles of good governance, as required by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, and what the …
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (‘the 2012 Act’) requires the SPA to ‘try to carry out its functions in a way which is proportionate, accountable and transparent and which is consistent with any principle of good governance which appears to it …
7 Dec 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Press and Journal campaign, Keep Highlands and Islands Enterprise Local.
Answer · Keith Brown: I have repeatedly given assurances in this chamber since 25 October 2016 that Highlands and Islands Enterprise will be in a position to continue to carry out its functions and provide its excellent services to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
21 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of health services in the Moray area.
20 Nov 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners assessed with brain injury were provided with outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation, and how long they waited for treatment, in each of the last five years.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: This information is not held centrally. NHS Boards are responsible for the provision of healthcare in prisons, in line with national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.
20 Nov 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average length of time is for patients leaving brain injury rehabilitation wards to wait for outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation in each NHS board area in each of the last five years.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is not collected centrally.
20 Nov 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners assessed with brain injury were given release conditional on attending neuropsychological rehabilitation in each of the last five years.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The Parole Unit database for the release of prisoners on compassionate grounds shows that there were no prisoners released on those grounds …
26 Oct 2016 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland and Network Rail regarding establishing a safe pedestrian crossing on the A96 between Forres and the rail station.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland has had a number of meetings with Network Rail and its engineering consultants where crossing facilities on the A96 have been discussed. A further meeting with the Community Council, Transport Scotland and Network Rail is being held next we…
28 Sep 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Grampian about the current level of ophthalmic care provided at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin and what plans it has for the future of this service.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government officials meet regularly with the Board to discuss matters of interest to the people of Grampian. This includes discussions with Grampian’s senior management about waiting times performance and associated service delivery across all specia…
26 Sep 2016 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the comment by the chief constable that it will "take a two-to-three-year adjustment period" to balance Police Scotland's finances.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had sight of the Scottish Police Authority's long-term financial strategy up to 2025-26, and when this will be made publicly available.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Police Authority has completed an initial version of its Long Term Financial Strategy and continues to refine and develop it as part of their strategic planning process. Decisions on publication are a matter for the Authority.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average time from caution and charge to verdict for (a) sheriff court and (b) Justice of the Peace court cases has been in each month since April 2014.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Michael Matheson:The average time from caution and charge to verdict for Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court cases for each month since 2014 is in the following table. The last full month’s recorded data currently available is July 2016. Sheriff C…
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) sheriff court and (b) Justice of the Peace court cases has been dealt with within the 26-week performance target from caution and charge to verdict, in each month since April 2014.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The percentage of Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court cases dealt with within 26-weeks (from caution and charge to verdict) for each month since 2014 is in the following table. The last full month’s recorded data currently available is July 2016. …
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it anticipates policing cross-border travel without disrupting service provision to passengers and railway operators following the integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02686 on 27 September 2016. 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/parliamentarybusin…
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates a decrease in the number of railway police officers and staff following the integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government's plans are based on maintaining capability and capacity in railway policing in Scotland.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it will put in place to deal with any rise in calls from the public following the proposed merger of the British Transport Police and Police Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02686 on 27 September 2016. 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/parliamentarybusine…
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its report on the consultation process to integrate D Division of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government will publish its report on the consultation ahead of the introduction of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a different payment structure for the provision of railway policing to railway operators following the proposed merger of the British Transport Police and Police Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government will set out its proposed approach as part of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill and accompanying documents.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Police Authority's statement that the agreement it reached with Accenture on the termination of the i6 programme did not result in "financial detriment to the police budget" takes account of expenditure on the project over the last four financial years.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans have been put in place for an operational policing IT system following the Scottish Police Authority's decision to terminate the i6 project with Accenture.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.
13 Sep 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of the Scottish Police Authority's decision to terminate the i6 contract with Accenture.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government was made aware of the Scottish Police Authority's decision to terminate the i6 contract with Accenture on 20 June 2016.
12 Sep 2016 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Faculty of Advocates' reported concerns that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is under resourced.
27 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the pain management budget has been in each NHS board area in each year since 2010.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. It is the role of the Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, it is a matter for …
27 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring it carries out in respect of waiting times for subsequent treatments for chronic pain relief procedures after a patient has had an initial pain relief treatment.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30489 on 21 March 2016. 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…
27 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest wait has been for patients to receive subsequent pain relief procedures following their initial pain relief treatment in each NHS board area in each of the last five years.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30489 on 21 March 2016. 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/…