Parliamentary questions
Neil Findlay
2,296 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the reports about blacklisting in the construction industry.
Answer · John Swinney: Companies which are awarded public contracts are expected to maintain high standards of business and professional conduct. Companies’ suitability and their compliance with all relevant legal obligations are considered on a case by case basis prior to the awar…
6 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many of the companies listed on the recovered Consulting Association's database (a) are engaged in or (b) have been awarded Scottish Government contracts or subcontracts since 2007 and what the value is of any such contracts.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10877 on 18 December 2012. Information is not held centrally on the award and value of subcontracts awarded to companies named by the Information Commissioner’s Office as companies which subscribed to the Consu…
6 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many companies that operate in Scotland were listed on the Consulting Association's database.
Answer · John Swinney: We do not hold this information. The ICO published details of construction companies which subscribed to the Consulting Association on their website. This list can be found at: http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/current_topics/consulting_association.aspx.
6 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many Scottish construction workers were on the blacklist operated by the Consulting Association.
Answer · John Swinney: We do not hold this information. The ICO assumed control of the Consulting Association’s database and are operating a telephone service for people to check whether information about them was held on it. This service is being run until related employment tribu…
6 Dec 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to look into the past activities of the Consulting Association and their impact on employment in Scotland.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has no plans to look into the past activities of the Consulting Association and their impact on employment in Scotland. The company has already been the subject of a successful investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office res…
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the policy statement on its future approach to ferries procurement referred to on page 4 of its Draft Ferries Plan will describe the tendering process that will be used for the 2016-23 Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
Answer · Keith Brown: The final Ferries Plan, due to be published before the end of the year, will set out the Scottish Government's plans for the future of ferry services across Scotland until 2022.
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers next plan to meet representatives of Caledonian MacBrayne to discuss ferry services to the Western Isles.
Answer · Keith Brown: I am planning to meet with the board of David MacBrayne Limited on 22 January 2013. A range of issues will be discussed at that meeting.
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has planned for 2013 with representatives of private shipping companies regarding the procurement of ferry services.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders regarding the procurement of ferry services. Currently there are no specific plans to discuss the procurement of ferry services with representatives of private shipping companie…
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has planned for 2013 with (a) European Commission officials and (b) Members of the European Parliament regarding the procurement of ferry services.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government will continue to proactively engage with European Commission officials on the procurement of ferry services. Currently there are no specific plans to discuss the procurement of ferry services with Members of the European Parliament.
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in 2012 with (a) European Commission officials and (b) Members of the European Parliament regarding the procurement of ferry services.
Answer · Keith Brown: There have been a number of recent meetings and exchanges with European Commission officials regarding the procurement of ferry services, including my meeting with Commission officials on 9 October 2012. There have been no discussions with members of the Euro…
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers sought permission from the EU before announcing the postponement of the tendering process for the 2013-19 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Answer · Keith Brown: The European Commission has been fully briefed on our plans in relation to the timing of the tender for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
22 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that lifeline ferry services are not re-tendered every six years.
Answer · Keith Brown: I have made a number of recent representations to the European Commission urging them to relax the restrictions currently in place on the length of contracts the Scottish Government can award to ferry operators. As recently as 9 October 2012, I met with a sen…
19 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how college reforms will impact on adults with learning difficulties.
13 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01449 by Michael Russell on 8 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 13218), what the timescale for the audit of college waiting lists will be and when the final report will be published.
Answer · Michael Russell: Our aim is to conclude this work as soon as possible; and we shall make available its conclusions. We cannot be precise about timescales until we have a better understanding of the data that is available.
13 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01449 by Michael Russell on 8 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 13218), who will carry out the audit of college waiting lists and whether this will be on an independent basis.
Answer · Michael Russell: Officials from the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Government analysts and the colleges concerned will work in partnership to undertake this work.
5 Nov 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it protects the environment.
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to launch an inquiry into whether companies in Scotland use blacklists.
Answer · John Swinney: The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into the use of blacklists and the findings from this will facilitate further areas of investigation.
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people might have been on blacklists operated by the construction sector in Scotland since 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) published details of construction companies which subscribed to the Consulting Association. This list can be found at the ICO website. The ICO assumed control o…
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09635 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 September 2012, how many of the consultation responses referred to blacklisting and whether the proposed Sustainable Procurement Bill will address the issue.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The issue of blacklisting has been raised in at least one response. This will be considered alongside other issues raised which are currently being analysed. The analysis will be published no later than 25 January 2013.
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had since 2007 with (a) employers and (b) trade unions about the use of blacklists in the construction sector.
Answer · John Swinney: Whilst the Scottish Government has not had discussions with employers and/or trade unions about the use of blacklists in the construction sector, we are totally opposed to blacklisting or the compiling of a blacklist on such a basis. We welcome the current in…
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since 2007 to determine (a) whether companies in the construction sector use blacklists and (b) the extent of their use.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is aware of the investigation carried out by the Information Commissioner’s Office into practices of the Consulting Association which has now ceased trading, and the subsequent penalty imposed on them for a breach of the Data Protectio…
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether companies awarded contracts by (a) it and (b) its agencies since 2007 have been named by the Information Commissioner's Office as using construction sector blacklists.
Answer · John Swinney: A number of companies that have been awarded contracts by the Scottish Government and its agencies since 2007 have been named by the ICO as companies which subscribed to the Consulting Association. The Scottish Government is totally opposed to blacklisting or…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give to Armadale’s bid for the national tennis centre.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government and sportscotland have had discussions with Judy Murray and her team over their plans for a national tennis academy. These are ongoing and possible locations for the academy will feature in these discussions. I am aware of the developm…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will bring forward the construction of the motorway junction at Winchburgh as a matter of priority.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10393 on 5 November 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/Apps2/Busine…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide support to ensure that the Winchburgh railway station development goes ahead as a matter of priority.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10393 on 5 November 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/Apps2/Busine…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to businesses in West Lothian to help them deal with the impact of the closure of Hall's meat processing plant.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10393 on 5 November 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/Apps2/Busine…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what incentives and support it will provide to businesses in West Lothian prepared to take on staff from Hall's meat processing plant.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10393 on 5 November 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/Apps2/Busine…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional support to find new employment it will provide to those workers affected by the closure of Hall's meat processing plant whose first language is not English.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10393 on 5 November 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/Apps2/Busine…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made contact with foreign governments regarding assistance that can be provided to foreign nationals affected by the closure of Hall's meat processing plant.
Answer · John Swinney: The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, wrote to the Consul General of Poland on 27 August 2012 to advise him that, through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative, we would do everything possible to su…
23 Oct 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impending closure of Hall's meat processing plant, whether it will provide additional resources to (a) West Lothian College, (b) Oatridge College and (c) other local training providers to provide additional places and courses for people who need to retrain.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10393 on 5 November 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/Apps2/Busine…