Parliamentary questions
Gail Ross
176 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many section 36 agreement applications are in progress in the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency.
18 Oct 2017 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government how local views will be taken into account when determining the application for Braemore wind farm, and when a decision will be made.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: A full public consultation was undertaken by the Scottish Government in relation to the proposed Braemore Wind Farm. The case was referred to the Department for Planning and Environmental Appeals for a public local inquiry to be heard, with all parties who r…
27 Sep 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reorganising local government to ensure that remote and rural areas have decision-making and strategic planning located at the heart of their communities.
20 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many foundation apprenticeships there are.
19 Sep 2017 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on ScotRail’s performance since the Improvement Plan was implemented, and whether the franchise performance target is now being achieved.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Since implementation of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) a year ago performance has continued to improve with PPM MAA increased by 1.60%, and last month saw ScotRail become the best performing large train operator in the UK. To put this into context Sco…
14 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it can do to encourage private care firms to set up in areas of increasing need, in light of NHS boards making arrangements to shift the balance of care from acute services to care at home.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Public Bodies (Scotland) Act 2014 places a duty on each Integration Authority to produce a Strategic Commissioning Plan which sets out how the Integration Authority will plan and deliver services for their area over the medium term, using the integrated b…
11 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the cost would be to the seafood sector in the event that WTO tariffs were applied to Scotland's exports.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11176 on 25 September 2017. 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/parliamentarybusine…
11 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has received from the UK Government regarding the timeline for the devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament after the UK leaves the EU regarding fisheries management within Scotland’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Fisheries management is already a fully devolved matter and the Scottish Government is absolutely clear the established powers of the Scottish Parliament over fisheries, the Scottish zone and Scottish vessels wherever they operate, must not be interfered with…
11 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many non-UK EU nationals work in Scotland’s seafood processing sector, and how many of these have been resident in the UK for less than five years.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government estimates that non-UK EU nationals account for fifty-five per cent of the people working in Scotland’s seafood processing sector. The Scottish Government is planning further work to gather evidence on the background of non-UK EU natio…
29 Aug 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will encourage the Scottish Futures Trust to research and develop a modular approach, where appropriate, for building public sector buildings.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government recognises the value of Modern Methods of construction including modular approaches and would encourage all public authorities to consider its use on all construction projects where appropriate.
17 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it will undertake with district salmon fishery boards regarding the eradication of non-native salmon species in Scottish rivers.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10830 on 7 September 2017. 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/parliamentarybusines…
17 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to eradicate non-native salmon species in Scottish rivers.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10830 on 7 September 2017. 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/parliamentarybusines…
17 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the presence of non-native salmon species have on Atlantic salmon in Scottish rivers.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10830 on 7 September 2017. 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/parliamentarybusines…
17 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has issued regarding control and management of non-native salmon species in Scottish rivers.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10830 on 7 September 2017. 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/parliamentarybusines…
17 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the numbers of non-native pink salmon present in Scottish rivers.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: In recent weeks, anglers in at least 18 Scottish rivers and netting stations in the River Esk and Tweed have reported historically unprecedented numbers of fresh run non-native pink salmon. As at the end of August, Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) have rec…
19 Jul 2017 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the policy review on the future approach to the procurement of lifeline ferry services, as announced by the Minister for Transport and the Islands in his statement to Parliament on 2 February 2017.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Since my announcement on 2 February, officials have met with counterparts from the European Commission, undertaken a series of meetings with a range of stakeholders across the Clyde and Hebrides (including Gourock–Dunoon) and Northern Isles ferry networks and…
12 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the European Commission regarding the deadline for making 2016 CAP Pillar 1 payments.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government wrote to the European Commission on 21 June to request an extension to the end-June deadline for CAP Pillar 1 payments. The Commission has responded to indicate that it does not propose to offer an extension. The request for an extens…
27 Jun 2017 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the High Level Output Specification and Statement of Funds Available for Control Period 6 (CP6), spanning the period from April 2019 to March 2024.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Under notice from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) I have a statutory duty to produce a High Level Output Specification, and Statement of Funds Available, or likely to be made available by 20 July 2017. This will be subject to timely confirmation from HM Tr…
16 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with British Airways regarding the recent disruption to flights due to IT problems, and what impact the disruption has had on Scotland to (a) travellers and (b) the economy.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: British Airways problems over the weekend of 27-28 May affected their entire route network from London Heathrow and London Gatwick. 6 routes between these two airports and Scotland were affected by cancellations or delays. During this period, connectivity bet…
30 May 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to the space industry in Scotland.
10 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will request quality assurance and performance reports from the Scottish Ambulance Service regarding the additional funding to improve services in Caithness to ensure that it is being used effectively.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service provides weekly and monthly performance reports to the Scottish Government. We will monitor any improvements to performance in Caithness as part of this process.
10 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the additional funding recently announced by the Scottish Ambulance Service to help improve services in Caithness will be spent; what improvements will be seen in services as a result of this funding, and how long it will take for these improvements to be s…
Answer · Shona Robison: The additional funding recently announced will be used to enhance ambulance provision through exploring opportunities regarding estates, community resilience and staffing. The Service has established the Caithness Ambulance Investment Project Group which com…
8 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many trees were planted in 2016-17, and what information it has regarding how this compares with England.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The national statistics for woodland creation record the area planted rather than number of trees. The UK statistics for 2016-17, including a breakdown by country, will be published on 15 June 2017 on the Forestry Commission website: www.forestry.gov.uk/fores…
2 May 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve ambulance cover in the far north.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government fully recognise the vital frontline role the Scottish Ambulance Service plays which is why we have provided a 1.5% uplift in its budget for 2017-18, equating to a £3.4m increase. I also recently announced additional funding of £6.3m to…
12 Apr 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that CCTV is being installed in slaughterhouses to assist in animal welfare scrutiny.
12 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of their status as a protected status, for what reason the shooting of mountain hares is permissible.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, mountain hares are protected by a close season which is between 1 March and 31 July. Outwith this period, mountain hares may legally be shot. An application for a licence to shoot hares during the close season may …
12 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement is in place for dealing with mountain hares being shot out of season.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Enforcement of the law in Scotland, including offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, is the responsibility of Police Scotland.
12 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement is in place for dealing with raptor persecution on grouse moors.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Police Scotland are responsible for the enforcement of the law in relation to raptor persecution anywhere in Scotland.
22 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the hospitality sector regarding business rates relief.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has held a number of recent meetings with the hospitality trade to discuss business rates relief to listen to their views and act on these.
8 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how often in each of the last two years the Eastern Airways' service from (a) Wick to Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeen to Wick been (i) cancelled and (ii) has delayed, also broken down by the reason for the disruption.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Aberdeen-Wick service is operated on a commercial basis with no direct Government subsidy. The Scottish Government does not hold information on cancellations or delays.