Parliamentary questions

Neil Findlay

2,296 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

21 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations the City of Edinburgh Council has made in the last year calling for increased funding for education, and what the outcome was.

Answer · Kate Forbes: While individual councils, including City of Edinburgh, raise a range of issues from time to time over their funding levels, the Scottish Government has always been clear that the negotiations on the level of the local government finance settlement are conduc…

21 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work has had with the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council in the last year at which the council leader has asked for more funding for the local authority, and what the outcome was.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Both the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work and I meet with COSLA and individual local authorities, including the City of Edinburgh Council, on a regular basis and discuss a range of issues including future funding. Indeed I met representati…

21 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the budget has been for the City of Edinburgh Council in each year since 2011-12.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The total budgeted funding (revenue and capital) provided to the City of Edinburgh Council by the Scottish Government in each year since 2011-12 is set out in the following table. Financial Year £ million 2011-12 872.5 2012-13 884.4 2013-14 793.8 201…

2 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many properties that are in close proximity to whisky bonds and plants are affected by black mould.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

2 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned on the issue of black mould on trees and premises in the proximity of whisky bonds.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has not commissioned any research in relation to black mould on trees and premises in the proximity of whisky bonds.

2 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to people who live near whisky bonds and whose properties are affected by black mould.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Environmental Protection Act 1990 enables local authorities to investigate a range of issues that may constitute a statutory nuisance. The relevant local authority would be able to advise whether it considers this issue to fall within the scope of its pow…

2 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the link between black mould on trees and their proximity to whisky bonds.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is aware of this fungus and its association with whisky bonds. We are not aware of evidence to suggest a damaging association with trees, and although the fungus forms a coating on tree bark, this slow growing species does not seem to …

30 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19389 by Derek Mackay on 30 October 2018, whether it considers that the response meets the commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code, which states that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public…

Answer · Derek Mackay: The answer provided to the previous question correctly noted that regulated public appointment decisions and remuneration are announced at the time of appointment. This is as per the requirement in the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public B…

30 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19389 by Derek Mackay on 30 October 2018, in light of the comment that appointment decisions are "usually" accompanied by a press release, whether it will confirm that, in the case of Ms Freeman, such press releases were published, and, if (a) so, w…

Answer · Derek Mackay: Table on SPICe archive BIB number: 60243

23 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a statement on Professor Alison Britton’s consideration of the independent review of transvaginal mesh implants.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government will publish An Investigative Review into the Process of Establishing, Managing and Supporting Independent Reviews in Scotland today. It has no plans to make a statement on the report.

22 Oct 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent contact it has had with women affected by transvaginal mesh implants.

22 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Israel-Palestine educational resources that have been quality-approved by Education Scotland as a learning and teaching resource have reportedly been withdrawn, including whether this was at the request of any pressure group, and whether this was approved at ministerial l…

Answer · John Swinney: The development of educational resources on Israel/Palestine began in 2015. Following a much publicised incident involving a primary school homework exercise, a working group was established to scope out appropriate education materials dealing with the confli…

22 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will offer an apology to women who have been negatively impacted by transvaginal mesh implants, similar to that made by the Australian Government.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I was alerted to the very serious issues with mesh procedures when I first became Cabinet Secretary for Health. I would like to add my own sincere apology to the apologies already given by the First Minister, the Chief Medical Officer and the previous Health …

15 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list public appointments that were taken up by Jeane Freeman in each year since 2007, also broken down by remuneration.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Regulated public appointment decisions are announced at the time of appointment which is usually a press release from Scottish Government public appointments, which includes the level of remuneration. The information will therefore have been in the public dom…

8 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a judicial register of interests.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce a judicial register of interests. The Scottish Government considers that existing safeguards, including the Judicial Oath, the Statement of Principles of Judicial Interests, and the system of complaint…

8 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of (a) current and (b) retired Scottish judges who sit in courts of other countries and whether it will provide a list of their (i) names and (ii) roles.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This question relates to matters that are the responsibility of the Lord President, under his powers within Part 2 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, and for which Scottish Ministers are not accountable.

8 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Scottish judges sitting in the courts of countries that have poor human rights records, including where violence against women is legal and prisoners regularly report being tortured.

27 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18892 by Michael Matheson on 27 September 2018, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether it will carry out a socioeconomic analysis of (a) the ownership of and (b) its awarding of grants for electric vehicles.

Answer · Michael Matheson: As highlighted in answers to S5W-18892 and S5W-18590 on 18 September 2018, we are committed to widening access to electric vehicles across all of Scotland and ensuring that the benefits of our approach can be enjoyed by households across Scotland. As part of …

24 Sep 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is provided in schools to children with mental health issues.

Answer · John Swinney: Education authorities and schools have responsibilities to identify, support and develop the mental wellbeing of pupils. Every child and young person should have access to emotional and mental wellbeing support in school. This may be support from pastoral car…

18 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a socioeconomic analysis of (a) the ownership of and (b) its awarding of grants for electric vehicles.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Supporting the shift to electric vehicles will help us reduce climate change emissions, improve air quality, and deliver new economic opportunities, all of which will benefit society as a whole. To realise these benefits, we are committed to widening access …

18 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what democratic oversight there is of Scotland Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Upon the establishment of the Police Service of Scotland under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit (Scotland) became part of the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit. The Scottish Police Authority hold…

18 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of anti-fracking protesters being described as "terrorists".

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government and Police Scotland support the public’s right to peaceful protests that are conducted within the law.

18 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out on whether the Queensferry Crossing has had a positive or negative impact on traffic flow.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-02368 on? 19 September 2018. The answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the Parliaments website, the Official Report can be viewed at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report…

13 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has had since she was appointed with women who have received mesh implants and/or organisations representing them.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I have received correspondence both directly from women affected by issues related to transvaginal mesh, and from MPs and MSPs representing them, but to date have had no individual meetings.

5 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the uptake of electric vehicles, and what information it has regarding how many people own an electric (a) car and (b) van, also broken down by socio-economic group.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Our Switched on Scotland Phase Two: An Action Plan For Growth sets out a range of actions to acceleration the uptake of electric vehicles. https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/39306/switched-on-scotland-phase-2.pdf . Information on new registrations and nu…

4 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been identified as victims of human trafficking in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Human Trafficking came into force on 1 February 2008 and the Convention was ratified by the UK Government in December 2008. Prior to 2009, potential victims of human trafficking under the age of 18 where i…

4 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to children who are victims of trafficking.

Answer · Maree Todd: Tackling human trafficking is the joint responsibility of the Scottish Government, the UK Government, the police, local authorities and support agencies. A child victim of human trafficking is a victim of child abuse and the child’s safety remains the princi…

4 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what access to translation services are available to trafficked children.

Answer · Maree Todd: In accordance with Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 language translation and interpretation assistance is provided to victims of trafficking through local authorities.

4 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what educational (a) support and (b) rights trafficked children have.

Answer · Maree Todd: All children in Scotland have the right to an education, whether that be in a school or another setting. Within schools, each local authority is responsible for the care, safety and welfare of their pupils. All adults who work in schools have a responsibility…

4 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial resources it has received from the UK Government to assist with Brexit preparations and how this has been spent.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Last autumn the Chancellor announced he would set aside £1.5 billion of additional funding in each of the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 for EU Exit preparations. The Scottish Government has received £37.3 million of consequentials for 2018-19, comprising £35.8 mi…