Siobhan McMahon

28 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what projects it has funded to tackle sectarianism in each of the last two years, broken down by (a) project, (b) amount awarded and (c) date of award.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government funding to tackle sectarianism in 2011-12 and 2012-13 is shown in the following table, broken down by organisation and project, amount awarded and date of award: Organisation and Project Funding Amount (2011-12) Date of Award Funding A…

11 Feb 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made for the impact on housing of demographic change, in light of the Finance Committee’s recent report, Demographic change and an ageing population.

19 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on the use of offshore tax havens by companies (a) bidding for or (b) contracted to run public services in Scotland.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government’s standard pre-qualification questionnaire requires companies bidding for public contracts to disclose if they have failed to comply with their statutory obligations relating to the payment of taxes. Companies which have not fulfilled …

19 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds regular discussions with the UK Government regarding the tax arrangements of companies bidding to provide public services in Scotland.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government officials have regular discussions with their UK Government counterparts regarding procurement matters. We will monitor progress to implement the announcement in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement that the Cabinet Office an…

19 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that private companies contracted by Transport Scotland honour agreements that it has with recognised trade unions.

Answer · Keith Brown: Employment relations between employers and trade unions are a matter for the parties concerned and those parties are bound by their legal obligations and any agreements between them. The Scottish Government expects companies which are awarded public contract…

19 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on the use of zero-hours contracts by private companies contracted by it to provide public services.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The terms and conditions that a contractor agrees with its employees are primarily a matter for the parties concerned.

10 Dec 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of NHS Lanarkshire and what issues were discussed.

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it discussed ferry passenger fare levels with Serco before the announcement of fare rises on the Northern Isles routes from January 2013.

Answer · Keith Brown: The 2013 fares increases on the Northern Isles services of 2.8% are in line with the provisions in the Northern Isles ferry service contract entered into on 26 October 2012 and published at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/water/ferries/subsidised/northe…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimates have been made of the revenues from (a) passenger and (b) freight fares on ferry Northern Isles ferry services in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14, (iii) 2014-15, (iv) 2015-16, (v) 2016-17 and (vi) 2017-18.

Answer · Keith Brown: As part of Serco’s bid for the Northern Isles ferry service contract, Serco provided estimates of the passenger, vehicle and freight carryings, fares and revenues for each year of the contract. This information is commercially confidential.

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimates have been made of the average (a) passenger and (b) freight fare on Northern Isles ferry services in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14, (iii) 2014-15, (iv) 2015-16, (v) 2016-17 and (vi) 2017-18.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11404 on 5 December 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what regular meetings it has had with representatives of Serco since 2010 to discuss passenger ferry services to the Northern Isles and whether such discussions cover (a) the workforce and (b) passenger safety considerations.

Answer · Keith Brown: Since 2010 there were a number of meetings with all potential operators, including Serco. Since the award of the Northern Isles ferry services contract Transport Scotland staff have held regular contract management meetings with Serco to discuss the operation…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the estimated annual value of the 2012-18 contract for Northern Isles ferry services is public subsidy.

Answer · Keith Brown: The total estimated value of the Northern Isles contract, as announced by Serco during their stock exchange announcement made in May 2012, is £351 million over six years. On 4 May 2012, I announced that the level of Scottish Government subsidy for the Northe…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussion regarding a reduction in seasonal staffing on Northern Isles ferry services it had with (a) Serco and (b) other bidders during the tendering process for the 2012-18 contract.

Answer · Keith Brown: Serco’s staffing plans were detailed in their original bid for taking over the Northern Isles ferry route. This aspect of their bid proposal, along with the rationale behind it, was discussed with Transport Scotland’s evaluation team during the tender process…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had regarding the reduction in catering staff on Northern Isles ferry services with (a) Serco and (b) other bidders during the tendering process for the 2012-18 contract.

Answer · Keith Brown: Serco’s staffing plans were detailed in their original bid for taking over the Northern Isles ferry route. This aspect of their bid proposal, along with the rationale behind it, was discussed with Transport Scotland’s evaluation team during the tender process…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Serco’s decision to reduce staffing on Northern Isles ferry services and whether it will seek to discuss the decision with (a) trade unions and (b) Serco.

Answer · Keith Brown: Serco’s bid for the Northern Isles contract included a planned revision of staffing numbers which was considered by Transport Scotland’s evaluation team during the tender process. It is correctly a matter for the operator, as the employer, and not the Scotti…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the views and opinions of the NSPCC, Save the Children, NCH and the Children’s Society are being adequately represented on the National Steering Group on Advocacy Support for Children and Young People.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: NSPCC, Save the Children and the Children’s Society do not send representatives to the National Steering Group for Advocacy Support for Children and Young People. Barnardo’s represent the views and opinions of Action for Children (formerly NCH Scotland) and o…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what charities act as representatives for other organisations in dealings with its directorates or agencies.

Answer · John Swinney: There are a range of charities who will act as representatives for other organisations from time in time in their dealings with the Scottish Government directorates and its agencies. However, we do not collect or hold information centrally. Scottish Minister…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Barnardo’s Scotland represents the views of the NSPCC, Save the Children, Action for Children and the Children’s Society on the National Steering Group on Advocacy Support for Children and Young People.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The membership of the National Steering Group on Advocacy Support for Children and Young People reflects the range of stakeholders with experience and expertise in delivering support to children and young people, including advocacy support. At the inception o…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many new homes will be built in 2012 under the MI New Home Scheme.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: This Scheme, which is led by Homes for Scotland and is supported by a government guarantee, will help credit worthy borrowers previously locked out of the market due to large deposit requirements to access 90 to 95% loan to value mortgages for new build homes…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what development sites homes are being built under the MI New Home Scheme.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Homes are not built specifically for sale through MI new home. However the initiative is available on all properties with a value of up to £250,000 offered by participating home builders on all of their sites throughout Scotland. Whilst we do not hold informa…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09451 by Margaret Burgess on 21 September 2012, for what reason no developments were approved in 2010-11 or 2011-12 in the (a) Falkirk, (b) North Lanarkshire and (c) South Lanarkshire areas.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The new supply shared equity with developers scheme is a competitive fund under which the Scottish Government invites bids from developers who wish their developments to participate in the scheme. All bids are assessed by Scottish Government housing supply di…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09455 by Margaret Burgess on 21 September 2012, when Bank Of Scotland mortgages will become available through the MI New Home Scheme.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Bank of Scotland requires changes to its systems in order to launch mortgages through the MI new home scheme. These are planned for completion in December 2012.

26 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the reported 143 asylum seekers living in the properties that could not be transferred during the changeover of the contract to Serco to provide accommodation and transport services have been relocated and whether they were relocated (a) in or (b) outwith S…

Answer · Michael Matheson: Asylum and Immigration are matters reserved to the UK Government, the United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) and its delivery partners. However, the Scottish Government remains clear that whilst asylum seekers are in Scotland they are to be welcomed and support…

26 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the reason for it not being possible to transfer some properties during the changeover of the contract to provide accommodation and transport services to asylum seekers in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Asylum and Immigration are matters reserved to the UK Government, the United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) and its delivery partners. However, the Scottish Government remains clear that whilst asylum seekers are in Scotland they are to be welcomed and support…

26 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it received representations from or made representations to the UK (a) Government or (b) Border Agency during the transfer of the contract to provide accommodation and transport services to asylum seekers in Scotland and, if so, what representations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Asylum and Immigration are matters reserved to the UK Government, the United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) and its delivery partners. However, the Scottish Government remains clear that whilst asylum seekers are in Scotland they are to be welcomed and support…

26 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made representations to (a) Glasgow City Council, (b) Serco or its sub-contractor, Orchard and Shipman, and (c) the Scottish Refugee Council regarding the transfer of properties during the changeover of the contract from Y People to Serco to provide accommodation and trans…

Answer · Michael Matheson: Asylum and Immigration are matters reserved to the UK Government, the United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) and its delivery partners. However, the Scottish Government remains clear that whilst asylum seekers are in Scotland they are to be welcomed and support…

3 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local planning applications its reporters have approved in each of the last five years after they were (a) called in by the Scottish Government and (b) referred on appeal by an applicant, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) type of application.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The information requested is given in the table entitled “Approvals broken down by planning authority area and type of development”, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54385).

3 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local planning decisions it has called in in each of the last five years after they were (a) rejected and (b) approved by a local authority, broken down by (i) type of application and (ii) local authority.  

Answer · Derek Mackay: Scottish ministers have no power to call in a planning application after the written notice of refusal or approval has been issued by a planning authority. Planning applications that were notified where the planning authority was minded to approve and subseq…

3 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local planning decisions have been referred on appeal to its reporters in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) type of application.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The information requested is given in the table entitled “Planning appeals broken down by planning authority area and type of development”, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54384).

1 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports access to further education for mature female students, disabled people and those from low-income backgrounds.