John Mason

6 Oct 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that Glasgow City Council is giving parents enough choice of nursery places for their children.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-22752 on 28 October 2014. 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/parliamenta…

6 Oct 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that Glasgow City Council is providing sufficient nursery places within walking distance.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Glasgow City Council, like all local authorities, has a statutory duty to secure early learning and childcare (ELC) for eligible children whose parents wish it. All eligible children are now entitled to a minimum of 600 hours per year. When a child becomes e…

6 Oct 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated economic impact of the 2014 Commonwealth Games was for (a) Glasgow, (b) the west of Scotland and (c) Scotland during the Games.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to maximising the benefits and creating a lasting legacy for the whole of Scotland from Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games. These Games have provided the entire country with an excellent opportunity for regenerati…

6 Oct 2014 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

29 Sep 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provision primary schools and nurseries make for first aid cover.

24 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding its recycling rates and service availability.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I met with all councils at COSLA’s Development, Economy and Sustainability Executive Group in September 2013 to discuss the importance of the zero waste agenda and hear feedback from councils on progress and the issues they are facing. Earlier this year, I, a…

24 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a league table of recycling rates for local authorities.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Official statistics on household waste are published annually by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Its annual household waste summary reports, which include the recycling rate for each local authority, can be viewed on SEPA’s website at: ht…

24 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has with COSLA and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ensure that local authorities are working toward achieving the objectives set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Public Sector Climate Leaders Forum (PSCLF) provides a formal means of discussing climate change action with both COSLA and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. I chair the forum which meets quarterly and Councillor Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperso…

24 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the recycling rates of each local authority.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Official statistics on household waste are published annually by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). As from 2012, SEPA started publishing household waste data information on an annual calendar year basis rather than a financial year basis. Thi…

13 Aug 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what costs have been associated with the electrification of the Whifflet-Central line.

Answer · Keith Brown: The final costs for the electrification of the Whifflet route are still to be determined. The cost of work done as at 15 August 2014 was £28.1 million.

13 Aug 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the electrification of the Whifflet-Central line will be completed.

Answer · Keith Brown: Network Rail has advised that electrification of the Whifflet route will be completed before the end of September 2014, four years ahead of the original schedule.

16 Jun 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent reports of significant levels of disruption to residents in Dalmarnock because of the Commonwealth Games.

2 Jun 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on prescribing homeopathic medicines.

22 May 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides support to Sudan from its international development budget and, if so, what discussions it has had with the Sudanese authorities concerning Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, who has been sentenced to death and 100 lashes for apostasy.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has not provided any direct support to the Government of Sudan. The international development budget funded a project run by Tearfund in the Darfur region of Sudan during the first round of our Sub Saharan Development Programme in 2008…

19 May 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent Sunday Times Rich List figures showing a 19% increase in the wealth of the 100 richest people in Scotland, what action it can take to narrow the gap between rich and poor people.

12 May 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report in the Sunday Herald suggesting that the Labour administrations in the 1970s ignored advice about setting up a North Sea oil wealth fund.

1 May 2014 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on the increase in Scotland’s population.

28 Apr 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to attract and encourage more boats to make use of the River Clyde.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government recognises the value of the River Clyde to a wide range of commercial, business and leisure users and would welcome any initiative which encourages the growth and expansion of industry, tourism and transport services based around the u…

28 Apr 2014 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on the economic benefits of the Commonwealth Games.

24 Mar 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of cost savings of using Revenue Scotland rather than HMRC for collecting and managing landfill tax and land and buildings transaction tax.

17 Mar 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how schools are teaching about sectarianism.

14 Mar 2014 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it has had with energy suppliers regarding the efficiency of the energy bill payment process for constituency and regional offices.

Answer · Liam McArthur: It is a matter for individual Members to determine their preferred payment method with their chosen energy supplier and the SPCB has not held any discussions with suppliers in that regard. The Members’ Expenses Scheme allows a range of methods to reimburse Me…

4 Mar 2014 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it encourages people to visit the Parliament by bicycle and what arrangements are in place for people wanting to pass through security with folding bikes.

Answer · David Stewart: The Parliament actively encourages the use of bicycles as a healthy means of transport when visiting the Scottish Parliament. Cycle racks are conveniently situated close to the Parliament, with two racks directly in front of the Parliament public entrance at …

3 Mar 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the widening availability and increased marketing of e-cigarettes.

24 Feb 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in the Daily Record about conditions at the hostel, the Bellgrove Hotel, and, in light of such institutions being supported by public money, whether it considers that they should meet certain standards.

28 Jan 2014 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project.

Answer · Keith Brown: I can confirm that this government intends to award this NPD contract to Scot Roads Partnership Project Ltd (SRP). The value of the contract is approximately £500 million in Net Present Value (NPV) terms, and includes the cost of the construction of the new r…

16 Dec 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with independent theological colleges regarding tuition fees for students from Scotland.

13 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), (b) Transport Scotland and (c) other agencies regarding the (i) roll-out and (ii) further usage of the SPT smartcard.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) smart card is part of SPT's overall project to modernise the Glasgow Subway, for which the Scottish Government is providing up to £246 million in capital funding. Transport Scotland has had discussions with SPT …

13 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the Scottish Football Association and (b) Police Scotland regarding recent reports of vandalism at football grounds.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government officials have regular discussions with the football authorities and the police about a range of issues relating to football and will attend the next meetings of the SFA’s Unacceptable Behaviour Group and Police Scotland’s Football Working…

13 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of pyrotechnics being illegally used in football grounds were reported in (a) 2003, (b) 2004, (c) 2005, (d) 2006, (e) 2007, (f) 2008, (g) 2009, (h) 2010, (i) 2011 and (j) 2012 and have been reported in 2013.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. We are aware however of the increasing concerns over the illegal use of pyrotechnic devices at football grounds. The Scottish Government are continuing to work with Police Scotland, the Crown …