Alex Rowley

15 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many school pupils (a) have tested positive for and (b) are self-isolating from COVID-19 following an outbreak at their school.

Answer · John Swinney: The latest information on the number of school pupils who are not in school due to a Covid-19 related sickness (this is pupils who have either been displaying symptoms of Covid-19 or have tested positive for Covid-19) can be found here: https://public.tablea…

9 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported financial problems facing the sector, whether it will provide details of what support it is offering to the coach industry.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31221 on 27 August 2020. 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/parliamentarybusiness…

24 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the Werritty Review, which examined the effects of grouse moor management on wildlife and the countryside.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: A response to the report by the independent Grouse Moor Management Review Group will be published this Autumn.  

18 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with SMEs to pursue sustainable and ethical economic growth.

4 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of COVID-19 has been on the availability of workers in the rural economy and tourism sectors. 

9 Jun 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement and discussions it has had with the UK Government in relation to the forming of new trade agreements.

4 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provision there is for (a) symptomatic and (b) asymptomatic (i) staff and (ii) patients in COVID-19-free sites where cancer diagnostic tests and treatments take place to be tested for the virus.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Our testing strategy is firmly based on the advice from senior clinicians and public health experts. The testing of healthcare workers continues to be our priority, and all symptomatic NHS workers or symptomatic household members are eligible for testing. In…

4 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how regularly healthcare workers in COVID-19-free sites are being tested for the virus.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5T-02299 on 23 June 2020. All answers to topical parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/r…

20 May 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the further education sector to help develop the skills of people whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

4 May 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government when recycling centres will be designated as an essential service and reopened.

14 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Scotland's established life sciences sector, for what reason it is not making greater use of the expertise in university and research institute labs throughout the country to increase the testing capacity for COVID-19.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Academic partnerships have already been set up with laboratories at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Aberdeen and two further academic partnerships are expected to go live in June. Additional capacity is provided by the Scottish National Bloo…

14 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the UK Government of a £750 million fund for frontline charities across the UK, whether Barnett consequentials of £60 million will be directed towards hospices in Scotland, and, if so, how much will be allocated directly to them.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The consequentials arising from the UK Government announcement do not include £60 million in consequentials for hospices. HM Treasury has indicated Scotland will receive an estimated £19 million in consequentials in respect of the £200 million for hospices in…

10 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish Natural Heritage report, Developing a counting methodology for mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Scotland, whether the standardised national counting method has been rolled out to all moors where shooting takes place.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The standardised national counting method has been rolled out on 60 estates with grouse moors in the central and eastern Highlands and in the Lammermuir Hills.  This followed 8 training sessions organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). …

10 Mar 2020 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for addressing potholes on Scotland’s roads.

1 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in addressing the environmental dump at Lathalmond M90 Commerce Park in Fife.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: SEPA officials met with the representatives of the landowners in December 2019, who agreed to present a costed plan for the removal, disposal and recycling options for the wastes. While an outline of this plan has been presented to SEPA, further details are …

1 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the danger to drivers and passengers of the potholes on the M90 between Dunfermline and Kelty.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Based upon national standards of good practice, our Operating Company for the M90, BEAR Scotland, has a contractual obligation to inspect the route at 7-day intervals. The M90 is inspected twice weekly. These inspections are primarily to identify defects that…

23 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional powers it requires to retain and increase job numbers and increase Scotland's presence in offshore wind projects.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: At an Offshore Wind Supply Chain Summit on 16 January 2020, it was announced that as part of the upcoming Crown Estate Scotland ScotWind Leasing process, the first such leasing round since devolution of the Crown Estate Scotland to Scottish Ministers, applica…

22 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on wild salmon and the wider marine environment of 73,000 farmed salmon escaping from the Mowi fish farming site off Colonsay in January 2020.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government was disappointed by the reported escape of farmed salmon at a Mowi Scotland site near Colonsay in January 2020. We are clear that the containment of farmed fish in Scotland is of crucial importance in minimising the potential impact of…

10 Dec 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to address reported staffing shortages in prisons.

18 Nov 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of public authorities not taking the necessary action to clear waste from the M90 Commerce Park at Lathalmond near Dunfermline, what action it can take to address local residents' environmental concerns.

12 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the impact on tourism of public toilet closures.

4 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Business Improvement District (BID) model is sustainable for supporting and regenerating town centres into the future.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is supporting Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) to build on the success of Business Improvement Districts by developing a new and more expansive model. This model will deliver more inclusive and energetic partnerships, improve resourc…

29 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether adequate regulations and safeguards are in place to ensure that the public are protected when buying pre-paid funeral plans.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government believes that the regulation of the pre-paid funeral plan market should be strengthened. As a reserved matter, we have urged the UK Government to take action to ensure there is sufficient protection in place for people taking out funer…

1 Oct 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the current regulatory framework for insolvency practitioners is effective.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: While there is an effective regulatory framework in place. The Scottish Government will always continue to look to improve it where it is necessary.

17 Sep 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether trade union access and the promotion of collective bargaining, as set out in the Fair Work First principles, are conditions for companies receiving government financial support, including grants from enterprise agencies.

4 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of traffic levels on both approaches to the Queensferry Crossing; what its response is to reports of frequent queues, and what action it can take to alleviate these. 

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is undertaking an evaluation of the Forth Replacement Crossing Project, in line with our published guidance for major infrastructure projects. This will compare conditions including traffic flows, one year after motorway regulations came in…

2 Sep 2019 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to Fife Council to deal with the impact on pupils of the fire at Woodmill High School.

29 Jul 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its £50 million town centre fund.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The £50 million Town Centre Fund was developed in partnership with COSLA and launched on 1 March. The fund will be distributed across all local authorities to enable them to stimulate and support a wide range of investments which encourage town centres and ci…

22 Jul 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of GPs in Fife.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: NHS Fife Health Board is responsible for the provision of primary care services in its area and is currently developing its strategic response to GP recruitment and retention challenges, in combination with targeted support to general practices where appropri…

22 Jul 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many integration joint boards are reporting funding shortages in their budgets.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The consolidated financial reports for Integration Authorities are published quarterly in arrears on the Scottish Government Website:https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-scotland-and-integration-authorities-consolidated-financial-reporting-2019-2020/ The f…