Neil Bibby

13 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many lecturers at each campus within West College Scotland received voluntary severance in each of the last four academic years.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The SFC has provided the following information in line with college figures produced for annual accounting purposes: The total voluntary severance headcount taken-up by lecturers across all 3 campuses of West College Scotland was 15 in the year 2014 -15. The…

13 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full-time equivalent lecturers, (b) other academic, (c) administrative and (d) other staff have been employed by each West College Scotland campus in each year since 2011.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: West College Scotland was formed of 3 colleges; James Watt, Reid Kerr and Clydebank in 2013. 2014-15 is the first year for which the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) hold data on staffing at West College Scotland. The SFC report that the number of full-time equ…

13 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many students there were in each West College Scotland campus in each year since 2011.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The number of enrolments in each West College Scotland (WCS) campus is as follows. Enrolments at West College Scotland, 2010-11 – 2016-17 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 Clydebank (previously Clydebank College) 9,661 8,213 …

13 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the spend was on estates at each campus within West College Scotland in each year since 2011.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: West College Scotland was created in 2013 as a result of the merger of Clydebank College, James Watt College’s Greenock Campus and Reid Kerr College. The information requested is therefore not available prior to financial year 2014-15 for West College Scotlan…

12 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met ScotRail and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I last met with the Managing Director of the ScotRail Alliance and some of his team on 6 November 2018 where we discussed a number of topics including ScotRail performance and the impending December 2018 timetable change. My officials at Transport Scotland a…

7 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to support the food and drink industry.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We continue to work with farmers, food producers and industry bodies to drive forward the Ambition 2030 food and drink strategy. Our new Programme for Government sets out a range of new measures to support the sector, building on the range of work that is alr…

17 Oct 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.

25 Sep 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Renfrewshire Council regarding the provision of childcare in the Paisley area.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government meets regularly with local authorities to discuss the delivery of the Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. These meetings can be through a number of routes, including one-to-one meetings or through engagement and working groups wh…

5 Sep 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and what issues were discussed.

3 Sep 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what decision it has made in relation to financial redress for survivors of pre-1964 cases of historic child abuse, and when this will be announced.

Answer · John Swinney: Following my statement to Parliament in November 2016, the InterAction Group established by SHRC and CELCIS began work to consult and engage on a potential financial compensation/redress scheme for victims/survivors of abuse in care in Scotland. Their recomme…

29 Aug 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of retailers in Renfrewshire, and what issues were discussed.

3 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update the Statutory Guidance on the Selection of Tenderers and Award of Contracts: Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement.

Answer · Derek Mackay: We have no plans to update the Statutory Guidance. We have recently published best practice guidance and a toolkit (4 July 2018) to support the practical application of the Statutory Guidance, which was developed in collaboration with public sector representa…

3 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Statutory Guidance on the Selection of Tenderers and Award of Contracts: Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement Statutory Guidance provides a workable mechanism for public procurement authorities to ensure that releva…

Answer · Derek Mackay: Public bodies must have regard to the Statutory Guidance published in October 2015 after consultation with stakeholders, including the Trade Unions. It advises public bodies how to address Fair Work practices within their procurement exercises. It states that…

3 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the relevant collective agreements are in the engineering construction industry.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In the context of public procurement, the Statutory Guidance on Addressing Fair Work Practices including the Living Wage in Procurement, published in October 2015, states that we expect contractors who deliver public contracts to take a positive approach to t…

3 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its Fair Work Action Plan.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In line with the commitment we have given, the Scottish Government will publish the Fair Work Action Plan by the end of 2018.  

3 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its Fair Work Action Plan will assist public procurement authorities to help ensure that relevant collective agreements are utilised in public procurement.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The ‘Statutory Guidance on the Selection of Tenderers and Award of Contracts: Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement’ advises public bodies how to address Fair Work practices within their procurement exercises. The guidance …

18 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support further medical research into learning more about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and finding a cure for the condition.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Researchers can apply to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) for funding. The CSO's Translational Clinical Studies Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research Committees each meet twice per year to consider funding applications. Detail…

18 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Scotland and the rest of the UK compares with other developed countries.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The incidence of a particular disease is not necessarily captured by routine data collection and this is the case with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). So this is not information that is held by the Scottish Government. Quantifying the incidence, or prevale…

18 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure the provision of emotional support for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Scotland.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Clinical evidence about the long-term health consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome is clear that psychological issues, including depression and anxiety, should be considered in all women with the condition, and that where necessary, appropriate counsellin…

18 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to decrease the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Scotland.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: As the exact cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is unknown, there are currently no specific measures which would decrease incidence. However, the symptoms of PCOS can be managed by a variety of means such as, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and medicat…

27 Jun 2018 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it is has provided additional resources to any contractor providing services to the Parliament for the purpose of ensuring that staff employed on such contracts are paid the Scottish Living Wage and, if so, whether it will provide details of each such contract i…

Answer · Sandra White: Since 1st January 2015 contractor staff employed exclusively and directly to work at the Scottish Parliament have been paid at least the Scottish living wage. An estimate of the cost of meeting this commitment is provided below:Contract2014/15*2015/162016/17…

27 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is has provided additional resources to any contractor providing it with services for the purpose of ensuring that staff employed on such contracts are paid the Scottish Living Wage and, if so, whether it will provide details of each such contract in each of the last five year…

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government addresses the payment of the real Living Wage in all relevant contacts by having regard to the Statutory Guidance on Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement. Where a Fair Work criterion is included in …

20 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Local Government and Housing last met East Dunbartonshire Council and what issues were discussed.

13 Jun 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent violent crime in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.

24 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland's investigation into the use of "margin charges" will (a) cover all public infrastructure contracts, including the A737 Dalry Bypass, and (b) include other malpractices such as blacklisting.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government expect those who deliver public contracts to adopt ethical and fair business practices. Transport Scotland has agreed to meet with Unite the Union on a regular basis to discuss the current and upcoming projects to ensure opportunities…

24 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether umbrella companies have been utilising a "margin charge" on workers' payslips during construction of the A737 Dalry Bypass, as has reportedly been the case in other Scottish Government infrastructure projects.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Farrans Roadbridge (FRBJV), the contractor for the A737 Dalry Bypass, has confirmed that "margin charges" on workers' payslips are not deducted during construction of the project. FRBJV has further advised that they will not tolerate such activities on their …

24 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether any of the contractors or sub-contractors involved in the construction of the A737 Dalry Bypass are participating in or have previously participated in the blacklisting of workers.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Prior to being permitted to be on a tender list, for a Transport Scotland contract, all applicants must first declare if they have been involved in blacklisting. Farrans Roadbridge (FRBJV), the contractor for the A737 Dalry Bypass, has confirmed that they hav…

22 May 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its Consultation on Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People and Modern Apprentices, which closed in November 2017.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There has been a considerable response to our consultation on the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, with over 2,800 members of the public and more than 100 organisations offering their views. We have been considering all the views expressed during the con…

18 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescales are for the full implementation of the forthcoming Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018.

Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The intention is to implement the Bill as soon as practicable in order that those who wish to exercise their legal rights in Scotland's courts may benefit from more predictable costs in civil actions, increased funding options and a greater level of equality …

14 May 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Peel Ports to discuss the future of Inchgreen Drydock, and what other issues were discussed.

Answer · Keith Brown: Peel Ports is a commercial company and the Scottish Government has no direct locus in business decisions made by the company on how to best utilise its resources. However, the Peel Ports CEO of Peel Ports, Mark Whitworth, has written to me this week outlinin…