Parliamentary questions
Neil Bibby
1,029 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the proposed workplace parking levy will not apply to parking spaces for disabled people.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Workplace parking levies will be introduced as a Green Party amendment at Stage 2 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill. As part of our engagement with the Green Party on the amendment we will support exemptions from the Workplace Parking Levy for disabled people.’
11 Feb 2019 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on infection control measures at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), what (a) economic modelling and (b) impact assessment it will carry out on the possible impact of workplace parking levies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: It will be for local authorities wishing to implement a Workplace Parking Levy to carry out appropriate assessment.
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), which organisations are the 10 largest private employers in each parliamentary region, also broken down by which it has met to discuss (a) employee travel to work and (b) workplace pa…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government met with a number of organisations to discuss the principle of a Workplace Parking Levy following the commitment given at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee to explore Local Authorities’ appetite for these powers. These meeti…
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), how many workplace parking spaces there are on its estate, broken down by local authority area; what the impact would be on its employees who use these spaces if a workplace parking l…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The breakdown of workplace parking spaces in the main buildings of the Scottish Government estate is as follows: Local Authority Area Parking spaces Parking spaces less disabled parking, visitor parking etc. Aberdeen City Council 128 119 City of Edinbu…
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), how much each local authority could raise in the first full year of a workplace parking levy if a model similar to that used in Nottingham was introduced.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Workplace Parking Levy will be a discretionary power for local authorities. Any local authority revenue would depend on how the scheme is introduced at a local level by a local authority should it choose to use these discretionary powers.
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03042 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 22), for what reason it considers that all NHS workplaces should be exempt from workplace parking levies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Workplace Parking Levy will be a discretionary power for local authorities. The exemption reflects the particular significance and circumstances of the NHS .
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03042 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 22), what its response is to the call by the EIS for schools to be exempt from workplace parking levies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Workplace Parking Levy will be a discretionary power for local authorities to implement should they wish to do so within the provisions set by the Transport (Scotland) Bill and Regulations. The detail on the framework for how Workplace Parking Levies will…
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), which organisations it has met to discuss workplace parking levies, and on what dates.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government met with a number of organisations to discuss the principle of a Workplace Parking Levy following the commitment given at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee to explore Local Authorities’ appetite for these powers. These meeti…
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), what information it has regarding how many employers in each local authority area provide 11 or more staff parking spaces for employees.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), what analysis it has carried out of the potential modal shift that could be achieved through workplace parking levies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Workplace Parking Levy will be a discretionary power for local authorities and would depend on how the scheme is introduced at a local level by a local authority should it choose to use these discretionary powers.
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03037 by John Swinney on 7 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 9), how many public transport timetable changes would be required in travel-to-work areas to ensure that (a) 50, (b) 60, (c) 70, (d) 80, (e) 90 and (f)100% of employees could travel to wo…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Workplace Parking Levy will be a discretionary power for local authorities and it would depend on how the scheme is introduced at a local level by a local authority should it choose to use these discretionary powers.
23 Jan 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed congestion on the M8 between the St James Interchange and Glasgow city centre with Transport Scotland.
9 Jan 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the future of the Construction Industry Training Board and the National Construction College campus in Scotland.
17 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the outsourcing of the Construction Industry Training Board's construction training and other functions.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Oversight of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is a reserved matter. The outsourcing comes as a result of a review of the operations of CITB across Great Britain. The Scottish Government regards this development as unfortunate, particularly for …
17 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it has met the Construction Industry Training Board since January 2017.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I met with Sarah Beal the Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) on 25 January 2018. Scottish Government Officials met with CITB on 8 May 2018.
17 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the construction industry trades unions regarding the potential closure of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) facility at Inchinnan and the outsourcing of CITB construction training and other functions.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has regular contact with trade unions on a range of matters. There have been no specific discussions with industry trade unions in relation to the changes proposed by the Construction Industry Training Board.
17 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the outsourcing of the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) construction training and other functions, and the potential closure of the CITB facility at Inchinnan.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20640 on 18 January 2018. 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/parliamentarybusines…
17 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made regarding the potential closure of the Construction Industry Training Board facility at Inchinnan.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The governance of CITB is reserved. Changes in the operation of the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) base in Inchinnan are part of a more general reform of CITB’s activities. I met with CITB on 25 th January 2018 to receive an update on the revi…
5 Dec 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and what issues were discussed.
26 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides for educational initiatives for schoolchildren that are delivered in partnership with public libraries.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is providing £450,000 this year for the Public Library Improvement Fund, enabling libraries across Scotland to undertake a range of pioneering projects for to benefit our communities. We are investing £1 million over three years throu…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when Hunterston B will resume generation and start contributing to the National Grid again.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: EDF has estimated that both Reactor 3 and Reactor 4 at Hunterston B will return to service in the New Year, on 21 February and 14 January respectively. These dates are subject to Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) agreeing the respective safety cases. The ON…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the Department of Energy and Climate Change, (b) EDF Energy and (c) the energy industry regarding the anticipated end of generation at Hunterston B in 2023.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20144 on 6 December 2018 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the extension of generation at Hunterston B beyond 2023.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20145 on 6 December 2018. 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/parliamentarybusines…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its economic strategy and other economic development initiatives will support high-skill, high-wage employment at Hunterston in North Ayrshire.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Scotland's Economic Strategy sets out the framework for delivering inclusive growth via boosting competitiveness and tackling inequality. At a national level, the Economic Action Plan - published in October of this year - sets out the wide range of actions th…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made for the anticipated end of generation at Hunterston B in 2023.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the question number S5W-20144 on 6 December 2018 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact its plans to phase out petrol and diesel cars will have on (a) the National Grid, (b) energy generation and (c) its energy policy.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government recognises that the commitment to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032 is likely to lead to an increased demand for electric vehicles (EVs), although there is little certainty about how future transport sy…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted an economic impact assessment of the effects of generation ending at Hunterston B and, if so, what its findings were.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We anticipate that Scotland’s abundant renewable resources, allied to investment in grid-scale storage and smart-grid technology, will play a greater role once Hunterston B ceases to generate, with subsequent benefits to local economies, potentially including…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies it has in place in the event that generation at Hunterston B ends prior to 2023.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is aware of the contribution that Hunterston B currently makes to meeting Scottish electricity demand. We continue to work closely with a range of stakeholders, including the UK Government, National Grid, EDF Energy and the wider energ…
22 Nov 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with EDF Energy regarding generation at Hunterston B and the economic future of the site.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with EDF regarding the future of Hunterston B. A delegation of Scottish officials visited the site on 6 November 2018 and met with the Station Director to discuss the current issues with the two reactors and when …