Parliamentary questions
Neil Findlay
2,296 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statement in its Programme for Government that the “third sector needs stability of funding and the opportunity for longer term planning and development”, how this is being rolled out across its departments and agencies.
19 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the modelling used in Scotland’s Place in Europe uses the conditions of the current Single Market or has made assumptions about what a future Single Market would look like and, if so, what assumptions were made.
Answer · Michael Russell: The scenario on continued European Single Market membership assumed the conditions of the current single Market. The assumptions and comparisons with other studies are set out in the technical annexe of Scotland’s Place in Europe - People, Jobs and Investment…
19 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the modelling used in Scotland’s Place in Europe uses the conditions of the current Customs Union or has made assumptions about what a future Customs Union would look like and, if so, what assumptions were made.
Answer · Michael Russell: The assumptions used under each trade scenario are drawn from the economic literature and are consistent with those applied in similar studies by other institutions. The assumptions and comparisons with other studies are set out in the technical annexe of Sco…
16 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00865 by Keith Brown on 16 January 2018 (Official Report, c. 3), what contracts (a) it, (b) its agencies and (c) the Scottish Futures Trust has or has had with Carillion, broken down by (i) the value of the contract, (ii) the date the contract was s…
Answer · Keith Brown: a) The Scottish Government does not have any contracts direct with Carillion. b) The following table lists contracts between Carillion and SG agencies taken from the Public Contract Scotland (PCS) system. These records go back to start of PCS in 2008: Contr…
15 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it producing a report on the possible economic impact of Brexit, what plans it has to produce similar work on the economic impact of Scotland leaving the UK.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government’s report, Scotland’s Place in Europe: People, Jobs and Investment, shows that by 2030 reverting to a Canadian type trade deal could amount to a loss for each person in Scotland of more than £1,600. Falling back on WTO terms could cost …
15 Jan 2018 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will allow for consultation, with the SPCB as the project lead and decision-maker, with the recognised trade union for employees on the co-location strategy for the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Scottish Human Rights Commission and Children and Young Pe…
Answer · Sandra White: The SPCB supports 6 parliamentary officeholders and provides annual funding to these officeholders. The officeholders are; accountable for their funding which forms part of the SPCB’s overall budget; independent in undertaking their statutory functions, and …
15 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide care for children who experience ill health.
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13147 by Michael Matheson on 14 December 2017, in light of the cabinet secretary having had sight of the report on undercover policing since 2 November 2017, whether he has now fully considered the findings and, if (a) so, by what date HMICS will pu…
Answer · Michael Matheson: I am currently considering the HMICS report, A strategic review of undercover policing in Scotland. Arrangements will be made shortly to lay the report in the Scottish Parliament, following which HMICS will publish the full report on its website.
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Court of Session granting permission for the case to proceed to a full hearing, for what reason the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) refused to grant legal aid to Tilly Gifford to allow for a judicial review of the decision not to extend the inquiry into undercover polici…
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal Aid Board (the Board) have different responsibilities in the legal aid system. While the Scottish Government sets policy for legal aid and provides significant funds to the Board to administer the Legal Aid Fund, the…
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the resources allocated to implement the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 will be used as intended, and how it will hold integration authorities to account if it is suspected that the resources are not used for the direct benefit of carers.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 each Integration Authority is required to publish an annual performance report within three months of the end of the financial year. Regulations set out minimum content for these reports including a …
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that the £16 million estimated cost of waiving charges for carers under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 has not been funded.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Our draft budget for 2018-19 includes an additional £66m to support additional expenditure by local government on social care including supporting the implementation of the carers act.
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the financial support accompanying the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 will (a) be an additional resource and (b) replace funding streams that are planned to end in April 2018.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Our draft budget for 2018-19 includes an additional £66m to support additional expenditure by local government on social care including supporting the implementation of the carers act. This new funding includes an amount for the intended outcomes under curren…
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that carer organisations are able to respond to any increase in demand for their services arising from the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Local arrangements for service planning and responding to demand for support under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 are a matter for local authorities, health boards, and integration authorities, working with local partners including carer organisations. £500,…
12 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of the Carers Act finance group that the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 underestimates the (a) demand from carers for assessment and support and (b) cost of implementing the duties it set out, including the costs of short breaks, replacement care…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The final report of the Carers (Scotland) Act Finance Advisory Group sets out the estimated costs of implementing the Act and the potential risks of underestimating costs. This is dependent on actual demand which is unknown until after the Act commences on 1 …
10 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice received the report into undercover policing; when it will be published, and what the reason is for any delay.
Answer · Michael Matheson: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
8 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what projects have been introduced in each year since 1999 to address deaths from illegal drugs, and what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of each.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Details of all projects undertaken to tackle drug related deaths since 1999 are not held centrally. The Scottish Government has, however, undertaken a range of initiatives to tackle drug related deaths, in collaboration with stakeholders and Alcohol and Drug…
8 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths from taking illegal drugs have been recorded in each year since 1999, and how this compared with the targets set for reducing such deaths.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Drug related death data for Scotland is collated and published by National Records of Scotland and can be found at the following website: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/drug-related-deaths-…
11 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of a report by the Australian Senate Select Committee, Select Committee into Funding for Research into Cancers with Low Survival Rates, which was published in November 2017 and recommended that the UK-wide HeadSmart campaign as a model to inform the public abo…
8 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the November 2017 report by the Australian Senate Select Committee into Funding for Research into Cancers with Low Survival Rates, which recommended the UK-wide HeadSmart campaign as a model to inform the public regarding low survival rate cancers and their…
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government welcomes recognition by the Australian Senate Select Committee into Funding of Research of Cancers with Low Survival Rates of the HeadSmart campaign as a model to inform the public of low survival rate cancers and their symptoms.
7 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that a failure by local authorities to inform the public that potentially radioactive material is being transported through towns and villages would be in breach of the obligation of local authorities as set out in civil contingencies legislation, and what the reason…
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Local authorities as category 1 responders have a duty to warn the public, and to provide information and advice, if an emergency is likely to occur or has occurred, under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005. In…
7 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported concerns regarding public safety, what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding nuclear weapons convoys passing through towns and villages; whether it has asked the MoD to notify residents that a convoy will pass through and, if so, wh…
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The transportation of defence nuclear material in Scotland is a reserved matter for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Scottish Government expects any such transportation to be carried out safely and securely, and has made this expectation clear to the UK Gov…
4 Dec 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take following the debate on 5 December 2017 on polypropylene mesh medical devices.
Answer · Shona Robison: Following the debate in the chamber last week, and in light of the BBC’s Panorama programme earlier this week, both the Chief Medical Officer and I have written to the MHRA to express concerns about the role of the MHRA in relation to transvaginal mesh. Furth…
4 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the finding of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's review into undercover policing in Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I received HMICS’s report, “A strategic review of undercover policing in Scotland” on 2 November. Once I have fully considered the report’s findings, arrangements will be made to lay the report in the Scottish Parliament, following which HMICS will publish th…
27 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the board members are of each city deal, broken down by remuneration.
Answer · Keith Brown: Each city region has developed bespoke regional governance for its deal, geared to its unique need and drawing in collaborative partners as appropriate. Details of the structures of agreed deals were published as an appendix to the Regional Partnerships repor…
27 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-12992 by Keith Brown on 27 November 2017, how much the members of the strategic boards will be paid.
Answer · Keith Brown: In line with Scottish Government policy, non-ex-officio members of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board will have the opportunity to claim a daily rate of £250 plus appropriate expenses, for time devoted to Strategic Board duties. Members’ paid time com…
24 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances would ministers meet with others in their official capacity with no officials present, and whether it will list any such meetings that have taken place since May 2016.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Ministers meet many people and organisations and consider a wide range of views as part of the formulation of Government policy. Private Offices should arrange for the basic facts of formal meetings between Ministers and outside interest groups to be recorded…
20 Nov 2017 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to concerns that A&E waiting times at St John's Hospital have been misrepresented.
20 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the “staff pressures” at St John's Hospital,, which were referred to in NHS Lothian's news release of 17 November 2017, Review of performance reporting of emergency access waiting times.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-12866 on 6 December 2017. 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…
20 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the findings of the internal review by NHS Lothian into waiting times at St John's Hospital, which was referred to in the board's news release of 17 November 2017, Review of performance reporting of emergency access waiting times.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-12866 on 6 December 2017. 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…
20 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when (a) it and (b) NHS Lothian was alerted to the recently reported problems regarding A&E waiting times figures at St John's Hospital, and what action was taken.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government was first alerted to the allegations relating to the misreporting of A&E waiting times at St Johns Hospital, NHS Lothian, on 11 October 2017. NHS Lothian was alerted on the same date. The allegations included emergency department staff…