Parliamentary questions
Neil Bibby
1,029 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no freepost option to respond to the Consultation on Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People and Modern Apprentices.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The vast majority of responses to Scottish Government consultations are made through our online portal Citizen Space, which can be accessed for free through most local libraries in Scotland for those without access to a computer. In addition, there are facili…
10 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hard copies of its Consultation on Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People and Modern Apprentices were issued, to whom and when.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: To date, just under 100 hard copies have been sent on request to individuals throughout Scotland since the consultation was launched on 25 August. We will continue to issue hard copies on request.
13 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the Paisley 2021 City of Culture bid.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I was in Paisley yesterday and made clear the Scottish Government is fully supportive of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021 and endorses the aims, ambitions and outcomes which the bid seeks to deliver. It is an exciting prospect which fits in we…
11 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the previous ScotRail franchise exercise cost, and what the cost will be of the next one.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The costs for the Abellio ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchise procurement exercises from January 2012 to April 2015 was £14.2 million. It is not possible to give an indication of costs for a future procurement.
23 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09970 by Shona Robison on 10 August 2017, whether any other dates were agreed for the cabinet secretary to visit the hospital prior to visit on 6 July 2017 that were subsequently changed and, if so, when the initial dates for these were entered in h…
Answer · Shona Robison: As is normal for such engagements, a number of dates were considered and subsequently discounted or agreed based on a combination of Ministerial availability and local operational activity. Contact was first made with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde on this engag…
26 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09712 by Shona Robison on 26 June 2017, on what date in July 2017 the cabinet secretary will visit the ward, and whether it will confirm the date that this was (a) agreed with the hospital and (b) entered in the cabinet secretary's diary.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Cabinet Secretary visited Ward 15 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on Thursday, 6 July. This date was agreed with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 29 June and confirmed in the Cabinet Secretary's diary the same day.
15 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will visit the children’s ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Answer · Shona Robison: I intend to visit Ward 15 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in early July.
12 Jun 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.
5 Jun 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to ensure that private sector and voluntary partners have the capacity required to meet its proposed expansion of early years and childcare services.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government has allocated £30 million of capital funding to local authorities in 2017-18 to invest in infrastructure developments which will expand capacity in the provision of Early Learning and Childcare. The funding letter issued to local autho…
19 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many HM Inspectorate of Education inspections were carried out in (a) early years establishments, (b) primary schools and (c) secondary schools in each academic year since 2006-07, broken down by local authority; how many reports were published, broken down by the average length of r…
Answer · John Swinney: Aberdeen City Academic Years 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Early Learning and Childcare centres1,4 11 16 11 Primary2,3,4 8 5 3 Secondary2,3,4 3 2 1 Aberdeenshire Academic Years 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Early Learning and Childcare c…
19 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) inspectors and (b) other staff have been employed by HM Inspectorate of Education in each calendar year since 2006.
Answer · John Swinney: The following table provides the calendar year information, broken down as requested up until HM Inspectorate if Education ceased to exist and merged with Learning and Teaching Scotland to create Education Scotland in July 2011. Inspectors All other staff…
4 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its ChargePlace Scotland scheme will now charge £1 for every occasion on which a free at the point of use car charging point is used and, if so, what discussions it has had with Charge Your Car Ltd on this and what business case was presented for it.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The ChargePlace Scotland network is operated separately by Charge Your Car Limited under a framework agreement with Scottish Ministers. The new pricing structure announced for users of the Charge Your Car network elsewhere in the UK does not apply to the Char…
24 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to reports of delays in the media, when the Queensferry Crossing will be open to the public.
Answer · Keith Brown: As the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work announced in his statement to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in Parliament on 29 March 2017, the Queensferry crossing is expected to open to traffic between mid-July and the end of August.
7 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport will announce a final decision on the future of the children's ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital before the local government elections on 4 May 2017.
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), what representations the cabinet secretary has received from businesses in the Renfrewshire North and West constituency that are concerned about a rise in busines…
Answer · Derek Mackay: Business in Renfrewshire will benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becomes payable; exp…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), what impact increased business rates will have on childcare and early years services; what the cost of this will be to (a) local authorities and (b) parents, and …
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07518 on 7 March 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.as…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), for what reason it has not offered providers of childcare and early years services similar support to that offered to the hospitality sector, and whether it will …
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07518 on 7 March 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.as…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), what support it can give to businesses that deliver childcare and early years services that are concerned about a rise in business rates.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Business that deliver childcare and early years services may benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business …
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), how many businesses in the West Scotland region, excluding in the hospitality sector, will the cap on rises to business rates apply to.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Business in the West of Scotland region will benefit from a range of Scottish Government policies including the decision to match the English poundage rate and cut the current rate by 3.7%; increasing the threshold at which the large business supplement becom…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), how much each NHS board will pay in increased business rates; what compensation it will offer to mitigate this, and what discussions it has had or plans with each…
Answer · Derek Mackay: The following table shows the expected change in total gross rates bills for each NHS Board from 1 April 2017. Reliefs awarded, which may include disabled person relief, charity relief and small business bonus scheme will reduce these gross bills. The NHS ha…
22 Feb 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport will announce a final decision regarding the proposed closure of the children’s ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Answer · Shona Robison: As in all such cases, I will come to a decision based on what I think is in the best interests of patients when I have carefully considered all the available information and representations.
10 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much ScotRail has spent on alternative transport for passengers due to delays or cancellations in each month since April 2015, broken down by method of transport used.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The following table shows the amount paid by ScotRail on alternative transport for passengers due to delays or cancellations in each four-week period since April 2015. A breakdown by method of transport is not available. Amount paid for alternative means…
10 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the public performance measure (PPM) figure has been for each route on the ScotRail franchise in each month since April 2015, and what its position is on routinely publishing this information on a monthly basis.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Franchise Agreement specifies that ScotRail report on performance by Sector Group and not specific route [made up of Express, Suburban West, Suburban East and Rural Sector]. The following table provides the relevant information. In terms of publishing -…
8 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the delivery of the Glasgow Terminal Stations (West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements) projects.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested substantially in successful rail improvements such as the Airdrie to Bathgate project, two new platforms at Glasgow Central, electrification of the Whifflet and Paisley Canal lines and the Paisley Corridor Impro…
8 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the implementation of its Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015.
Answer · Keith Brown: Progress on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 is published annually, with the next report being due for publication in March 2017. The Progress Report for 2015, published in March 2016, is available from the following link: www.gov.sco…
31 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost will be of the M8/M73/M74 motorway improvements project, and how much it has spent on the project each year.
Answer · Keith Brown: The anticipated total cost of the contract to Design, Build, Finance and Operate the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project for 30 years remains at the £500 million I announced in February 2014. Under the terms of the contract, no payments are made until th…
12 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the budget for its (a) sustainable and active travel and (b) Smarter Choices, Smarter Places initiatives was spent in 2015-16.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Please see the following tables for information on sustainable and active travel, which comes from several budget headings. SSAT Capital This budget supports walking and cycling infrastructure. Please see the following tables for information on sustainable…
4 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of its Draft Budget 2017-18, on what date a negotiated settlement was reached with the bus industry regarding the funding of concessionary bus travel.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Following a series of meetings between Transport Scotland officials and representatives of the bus industry, agreement was reached on reimbursement terms for bus operators for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People for 2017-18 …
4 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the bus sector regarding eligibility for concessionary bus travel.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland officials have met bus industry representatives on a number of occasions to discuss concessionary travel reimbursement terms for 2017-18.
4 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support employment in Renfrewshire in light of the announcements that Chivas Brothers is to relocate and Doosan Babcock is to consult on redundancies.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government and its agencies continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council to support inclusive growth and employment opportunities in the area, responding to the potential impact of recent company decisions. We welcome Chivas Brothers' commi…