Neil Findlay

31 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on 30 March 2017 (Official Report, c. 57), what its response is to concerns that, despite being agreed by all members of the review group in 2015, the draft version of the mesh report was changed "beyond all recognit…

Answer · Shona Robison: The Final Report builds upon the findings of the Interim Report, taking into account additional evidence and experiences that were not yet available at the time the Interim Report was produced.

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the question by Fulton McGregor to Maureen Watt on 30 March 2017 (Official Report, c.53), whether any civil servant had any role in drafting the question, and what its policy is on civil servants supporting parliamentary liaison officers in their roles.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Questions asked in the Chamber are the responsibility of the Member. Scottish Government officials serve the Scottish Ministers and provide no support to Members appointed as Parliamentary Liaison Officers.

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments by Joan McAlpine in the Daily Record, whether it considers that the calculation using the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS) that states Scotland's deficit is £15 billion is "absurd".

Answer · Derek Mackay: Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) estimates the contribution of revenue raised in Scotland towards the goods and services provided for the benefit of Scottish residents under the current constitutional arrangements. It is a National Statistic…

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has confidence in the UK Statistics Authority and its independent assessment of the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS).

Answer · Derek Mackay: Yes. Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) estimates the contribution of revenue raised in Scotland towards the goods and services provided for the benefit of Scottish residents under the current constitutional arrangements.

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the veracity of the raw data used to compile the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS).

Answer · Derek Mackay: Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) estimates the contribution of revenue raised in Scotland towards the goods and services provided for the benefit of Scottish residents under the current constitutional arrangements. The data used to compile t…

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has confidence in its Chief Statistician and the quality of his work when taking responsibility for the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS).

Answer · Derek Mackay: Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) estimates the contribution of revenue raised in Scotland towards the goods and services provided for the benefit of Scottish residents under the current constitutional arrangements.

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the veracity of the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS) for (a) 2015-16 and (b) previous years.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) estimates the contribution of revenue raised in Scotland towards the goods and services provided for the benefit of Scottish residents under the current constitutional arrangements. It is a National Statistic…

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS) have ever been compromised as a consequence of non-statistical influences, and what its reasons are for its position on this.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) is produced by Scottish Government Statisticians in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics and has been independently assessed by the UK Statistics.

30 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers there are any flaws in the compiling of the Government Expenditure and Revenue Figures (Scotland) (GERS), and what its reasons are for its position on this.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) estimates the contribution of revenue raised in Scotland towards the goods and services provided for the benefit of Scottish residents under the current constitutional arrangements. The methods used to compile…

29 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24492 by Michael Matheson on 3 March 2015, whether similar bonuses have been paid to prison officers in the subsequent years and, if so, what the annual cost has been; how much it expects to pay out in future years; whether it classifies these as "o…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: There are no current plans to make similar payments to other SPS employees.

28 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of the Scottish Independent Review of the Use, Safety and Efficacy of Transvaginal Mesh Implants in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Women.

Answer · Shona Robison: Publication of the Interim and Final Reports and the payment of travelling expenses to members of the Independent Review amounted to just under £4,500.

27 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08004 by Shirley-Anne Sommerville on 24 March 2017, who the members are of the new Senior Management Team, and whether it will publish the set remit of each.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Further to my previous reply on 24 March 2017, you may wish to approach Edinburgh College directly for this information.

27 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08001 by Shirley-Anne Sommerville on 24 March 2017, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding whether it considers that reduction in student activity at Edinburgh College has arisen because of poor planning.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: As part of its planning process, Edinburgh College has undertaken significant reviews of its curriculum and course frameworks. This is combined with an emphasis on recruitment processes and retention.

27 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08004 by Shirley-Anne Sommerville on 24 March 2017, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what its position is on the effectiveness of the (a) board and (b) management and executive team of Edinburgh College, including…

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The College Board operates in accordance with the Financial Memorandum between the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the College and the Code of Good Governance for Colleges. Board structures have been reviewed and the Board itself has been active in support…

23 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland voted to become independent, whether it considers that the country would not be an EU member on leaving the UK and, if so, what its position is on whether any independence referendum could be considered as a vote regarding EU membership.

Answer · Michael Russell: The people of Scotland should have the right to choose the future of their country. The Scottish Government believes the time to make that choice is when the terms of withdrawal from the EU are clear and can be judged against the challenges and opportunities …

22 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-07818 by Joe Fitzpatrick on 22 March 2017, how many times since May 2007 (a) the First Minister and (b) each (i) cabinet secretary, (ii) minister (A) has been in contact or (B) have been contacted by Andrew Wilson or Charlotte Street Partners, and f…

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.

17 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on comments by the SNP MP, Joanna Cherry, who reportedly said, "We probably wouldn't want to be tied to the pound if it nosedives after a Brexit".

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government believes the people of Scotland should be given the final choice between going for Brexit and becoming an independent country once the terms of Brexit are clear. The First Minister has also committed to providing clarity on the economi…

16 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much an independent Scotland would pay in annual contributions if it joined the (a) EU and (b) European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: An independent Scotland’s contributions to the budgets of international organisations would be agreed as part of the membership process for each organisation. In respect of the EU, it is likely that as a relatively prosperous Member State, an independent Scot…

16 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was informed of the latest consultant resignation from the review group into mesh implants.

Answer · Shona Robison: Only one serving clinician has resigned from the group and the Scottish Government was made aware of his resignation on 1 March. The Chair of the Review announced the resignation to the remaining members of the Review at its meeting on 6 March.

15 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the devolution of industrial injuries disablement benefit, what its position is on the list of diseases and conditions linked to employment that the benefit covers; whether it plans to remove any of these from the list; what the criteria will be to add to the list, including…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Our priority for transition of the Industrial Injuries scheme, alongside all benefits to be devolved, is safe and secure transfer, ensuring that households continue to receive payment on time and in the right amount. Those who are eligible for the benefits at…

15 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to establish a version of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, in light of the decision not to designate it as a cross-border public authority.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The UK Government has decided that following devolution of the Industrial Injuries scheme, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) will not provide advice to Scottish Ministers. It is clear from the recent consultation that there is support for simila…

15 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became independent, what the process would be for it joining the EU, and how long this would take.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government’s policy is for Scotland to be a member of the European Union. We will set out well before any referendum how Scotland’s relationship with Europe will be secured.

15 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became independent, whether it will hold on a referendum on seeking membership of the EU or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government’s policy is for membership of the European Union. Once the terms of Brexit are clear the people of Scotland should have a choice on their future through a referendum on independence.

15 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the comment by the Scottish Green Party that "in assessing public appetite for a second referendum we will respect new kinds of citizen-led initiatives - for example, a call for a referendum signed by up to 1 million people on the electoral register".

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government welcomes initiatives to encourage public engagement. The manifesto on which the current Scottish Government was elected was clear that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum “if there is a significant …

15 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became independent, whether it would seek membership of the EU or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and, if so, which organisation would be its intital preference.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government’s policy is for membership of the European Union. In advance of an independence referendum the government will set out how Scotland’s relationship with Europe will be secured.

14 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it offers to homeowners who find asbestos in buildings that wasn't identified in the home report.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The property questionnaire which a seller completes as part of the home report asks for information if the seller is aware of the presence of asbestos in the house. However, a seller may be unaware of the presence of asbestos. UK Health and Safety Executive’s…

14 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered or will consider including an asbestos survey in home reports.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has no plans to review what is included within Home Reports. The Home Report includes a single survey and energy report, which are completed by a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and a property questionnaire, whi…

14 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next review what is included in home reports.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has no plans to carry out a review of what is in Home Reports. The Scottish Government carried out a full policy review of Home Reports after five years. We intend to work with stakeholders later this year to consider the recommen…

13 Mar 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on airport expansion.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We fully support the ambition of Scotland’s airports to increase the number of services to international and domestic destinations in order to support economic growth by improving connectivity for business and facilitating increased inbound tourism. The expa…

10 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that Edinburgh College has experienced a fall in the number of students (a) registered on courses and (b) sitting exams, and whether it considers that this reduction in student activity has arisen because of poor planning.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The SFC is closely monitoring College progress implementing their Business Transformation Plan in AY 16-17, a key strand of which is student recruitment. The College is close to reaching its credit activity target for AY 16-17 and has undertaken significant …