Drew Smith

21 Mar 2016 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the call from COSLA for a constitutional convention to restore and strengthen local democracy.

16 Mar 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what policies it has instigated to achieve a greater degree of equality between the most and least wealthy areas of the country.

8 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29496 by Michael Matheson on 3 February 2016, when it will conclude its final consultation on delivering indoor smoke-free prison facilities.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: “The consultation process has now concluded and an options paper is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Sec…

3 Feb 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Personal Footcare Guidance.

19 Jan 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on poorer students in Scotland of the UK Government replacing bursaries with loans.

7 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what input it had to the 2015 UK state party report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; whether it consulted minority ethnic communities in relation to such input, and whether it will publish its submission.

Answer · Alex Neil: The UK Government is responsible for providing the state party report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Scottish Government provided an update to the UK Government in relation to the race equality work being carried out. It …

6 Jan 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

10 Dec 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the GMB Scotland Young Members' Network report, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in Scottish Workplaces, and whether it will take these into account when developing its fair work framework.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government takes the issue of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace very seriously. That is one of the reasons that the independent Fair Work Convention was set up in April 2015 bringing together trade unions, the private secto…

8 Dec 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the publication of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation has been delayed.

18 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the savings or costs of absorbing the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Following the passage of the Scotland Bill, primary legislation is likely to be required in Scotland to take forward the integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland. Such a Bill would be accompanied by a financial memorandum i…

18 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on passenger safety of absorbing the British Transport Police into Police Scotland and whether it will publish that assessment.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28527 on 25 November 2015. 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/parliament…

18 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to hold a public consultation on the future of the British Transport Police in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Subject to the parliamentary process of the Scotland Bill the Scottish Government intends to consult on a range of issues related to the integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland in 2016.

30 Sep 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of compulsory redundancies there have been in colleges.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have made clear to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and colleges the government’s opposition to compulsory redundancies and I have urged them to do everything possible to avoid them. Notwithstanding our policy, I am aware the SFC wrote to you recently c…

25 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23258 by Shona Robison on 27 November 2014, how many people were (a) treated and (b) refused treatment by the national transcatheter aortic valve implantation service in 2014-15, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is provided in the following table: Table 1: National Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Service 2014-15 NHS board Patients not suitable or who do not wish to undergo TAVI TAVI Greater Glasgow and Clyde 17 25 Lana…

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for finalising the sectoral marine plans and their habitats regulations appraisal under the National Marine Plan.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government intends to finalise the Sectoral Marine Plans, the related post-adoption statement, and appropriate assessment during winter 2015-16.

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the reason is for delay in the consultation on 14 marine special protection areas; what impact this will have on the UK meeting its requirement under the OSPAR Convention to establish an ecologically coherent and well-managed network of marine protected areas across the North-east A…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Pre-consultation discussions have taken place with a broad range of stakeholders. This has resulted in some scientific issues being identified. Marine Scotland is now working with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to resolv…

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the conclusions of the National Marine Plan Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) is dependent on a completed sectoral marine plan and its own associated HRA.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The National Marine Plan sets a framework for sustainable development and use of the marine environment. The Habitats Regulation Appraisal of the National Marine Plan has been undertaken following the guidance on HRA produced by Scottish Natural Heritage, and…

31 Aug 2015 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what scientific evidence the Scottish Government used as the basis for its recent announcement on GM technology.

11 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what scientific evidence it has considered in relation to the regulation of GM technology.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: GM technology is regulated at EU level where all GM applications submitted for approval are scientifically assessed before they can be approved. The European Commission recognise that there are additional factors which can have an impact on decisions to culti…

11 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will appoint a Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government is committed to drawing on the very best science advice and expertise. The post of Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland was advertised externally over the period 13 March to 10 April 2015 but following a full recruitment process we ar…

31 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered or plans to consider the case for clinical associates in applied psychology to be added to the list of regulated specialities covered by the Health and Care Professions Council.

Answer · Shona Robison: Ministers of all four countries have committed to working together to maintain a consistent approach to professional healthcare regulation across national boundaries. This is in the interests of both patients and professionals and to prevent professionals wit…

28 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Glasgow have received support from the open market shared equity scheme since 2011.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Between January 2011 and June 2015, 210 homes have been purchased through the open market shared equity scheme in Glasgow.

28 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the open market shared equity scheme.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has no plans to review its open market shared equity scheme. ODS Consulting carried out independent research for the Scottish Government on four of the low-cost initiative for first time buyers (LIFT) schemes in 2010-11 which included …

6 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26270 by Jamie Hepburn on 6 July 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding provided by sportscotland to Scottish Swimming for the purpose of teaching children to swim.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The sportscotland investment to Scottish Swimming supports the range of activity needed to both develop performance sport and support participation in swimming. This investment is broken down as follows: Performance - £573,500 Development - £427,000 Effect…

5 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what strategy is in place to preserve post-war architectural heritage.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Ministers are committed to the protection and promotion of the historic environment, the ambition which sits at the heart of the Historic Environment Strategy, Our Place in Time. That includes recognising the value of many examples of post-war archit…

1 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-05317 by Michael Russell on 8 February 2012, how many (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) other (i) teaching, (ii) support, (iii) management and (iv) other staff were employed by further education institutions in the Glasgow parliamentary region on…

Answer · Angela Constance: Information on the number of staff employed in colleges is held by the Scottish Funding Council. Information is available for academic years 2012-13 and 2013-14, however data for years later than this is not yet available. It is not possible to provide the…

1 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-01572 by Michael Matheson on 4 August 2011, how many pitches there are on each (a) local authority-managed and (b) privately run site for Gypsy/Travellers, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government does not routinely collect information on the number of Gypsy/Traveller sites and pitches in Scotland. In 2014 we collected data on the number of sites, and total number of pitches, for each local authority area to support the work of …

1 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00028 by John Swinney on 20 May 2011, what proportion of workers in Glasgow is employed by the public sector, also broken down by (a) local government, (b) NHS, (c) central government, (d) central government agencies and (e) other bodies.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This information is not held centrally. However it is estimated from the latest Annual Population Survey (April 2014 to March 2015) that 116,000 (27%) of the 427,000 people employed in Glasgow City local authority area are employed in the public sector. P…

1 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00027 by John Swinney on 20 May 2011, how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time, (c) casual and (d) other public sector employees were employed in Glasgow on 5 May 2015.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This information is not held centrally. However it is estimated from the latest Annual Population Survey (April 2014 to March 2015) that 116,000 people are employed in the public sector in Glasgow City local authority area. 27,000 are part-time and 7,000 a…

1 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00026 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 June 2011, how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time, (c) casual and (d) other employees were employed by (i) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (ii) other NHS bodies in Glasgow on 5 May 2015.

Answer · Shona Robison: In terms of staff levels, we are better equipped to deliver services than ever before. The latest information for whole time equivalent (WTE) and part-time employees in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is available as at 31 March 2015 and is published by Informa…