Parliamentary questions
Fulton MacGregor
361 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a returnable deposit scheme on cans and bottles in order to reduce littering and increase recycling.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is considering the benefits and drawbacks of a deposit return scheme. Such a scheme has the potential to reduce litter and improve recycling, but other factors must be taken into consideration. These include the impact on small stores …
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of newly-qualified teachers are in employment following their probation period and how this compares with 2006-07.
Answer · John Swinney: 87% of the 2015/16 teacher probationer cohort were employed as teachers in publically funded schools in Scotland in September 2016. This compares to 66% of the 2006-07 teacher probationer cohort that were employed as teachers in publically funded schools in …
20 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out on the health effects of electronic cigarettes.
Answer · Shona Robison: There is no single list of all the research on the health effects of electronic cigarettes that has been, and continues to be, conducted all around the world. The Scottish Ministers have established a research and evaluation group on tobacco control which hel…
25 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of pupils has achieved at least one qualification at Higher level or equivalent in each year since 1999.
Answer · John Swinney: The percentage of school leavers attaining at least one qualification at SCQF 6 (Higher and equivalents) or better from 1998-99 to 2014-15 is shown in the following table. Percentage of school leavers with one or more qualification at SCQF level six or bette…
25 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle hate crime in schools.
Answer · Angela Constance: All forms of hate crime and prejudice are completely unacceptable. In schools, we want all children and young people to learn tolerance, respect, equality and good citizenship to address and prevent prejudice. Whilst not specifically about tackling hate crime…
24 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04629 by Annabelle Ewing on 29 November 2016, whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to tackle sectarianism.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Further to the range of activities set out in my answer to S5W-04629, I announced an independent review of hate crime legislation in Scotland which will consider whether all existing hate crime law, including that which tackles sectarianism, represents the mo…
24 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what the average lifetime increase in wages is for a degree level graduate in Scotland, and what the resulting increase in expected tax contribution is.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the average lifetime increase in wages for a degree level graduate in Scotland and what the resulting increase in expected tax contribution is.
18 Jan 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many dental treatments using mercury amalgam fillings there have been in the last three years.
Answer · Shona Robison: In the three years up to 2015-16 the number of amalgam fillings provided under NHS general dental services has decreased year on year from 932,254 in 2013-14 to 887,047 in 2014-15 and 838,296 in 2015-16.
12 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision by the Prison Officers' Association in England to reject the UK Government’s offer to lower the retirement age of prison officers from 68 to 65, what discussions it is having with the UK Government to secure a retirement age of 60 for Scottish Prison Service off…
Answer · Michael Matheson: Prison officers in Scotland are members of the UK-wide Civil Service Pension Scheme. I wrote to the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 8 July 2015 to express my concerns that prison officers are expected to continue working to State Pension Age whilst carryin…
12 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of over 300 guns being handed in to Coatbridge Police during a gun amnesty, what further measures it is taking to reduce the number of illegal weapons in circulation.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Police Scotland managed a highly successful surrender campaign for those people who wished to hand in unwanted air weapons prior to the new licensing regime coming into effect on 31 December 2016. Across Scotland, 18,935 air weapons had been handed to Police …
12 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider investing in restoring the Monkland canal in Coatbridge and regenerating the surrounding areas.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: We will continue to support Scottish Canals to work in partnership with the local council and voluntary groups to restore and revitalise the remaining parts of the Monkland canal. The Scottish Government has provided more than £18m to support infrastructure …
12 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Baby Box will be rolled-out in North Lanarkshire.
Answer · Shona Robison: Baby boxes will be rolled out nationally from Summer 2017.
12 Jan 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure future new housing estates will have fibre broadband installed during construction.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Although responsibility for the delivery of telecommunications networks is currently a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has taken steps to assist with rollout of broadband during housing construction. From 1 January 2017, amendments to the Building …
10 Jan 2017 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of plans for trauma care in Scotland.
Answer · Shona Robison: Scottish Government consider it a priority to design and implement a national inclusive trauma network that will save lives, deliver improved outcomes for injured patients and fully support them to quickly return to normal life. In May last year, Ministers se…
19 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how recently published draft regulations that require a Standard of Headship for new headteachers will help drive attainment through school leadership.
Answer · John Swinney: We know that effective school leadership is key to ensuring successful outcomes for learners and will help achieve excellence and equity for all. The Standard for Headship awarded by the General Teaching Council for Scotland outlines the skills and knowledge …
13 Dec 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government, now that the NHS board engagement process has concluded, what its response is to the recommendations from the Scottish Health Council on the designation of service change proposals submitted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in respect of the local reviews of Clyde birthing services, in…
Answer · Shona Robison: We understand that the Scottish Health Council (SHC) has come to a view on the designation of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s recent service change proposals. The Scottish Government supports the SHC views. The SHC views the proposals relating to Clyde birt…
13 Dec 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to motion S5M-01677 on Protect Local NHS Services, and now that the NHS board engagement process has concluded, when it will come to a decision on the designation of service change proposals submitted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in respect of the local reviews of Clyde bir…
8 Dec 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the appointment of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland will be announced.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I can confirm that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Derek Penman as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland for a further three years, until 30 January 2020.
30 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that benefit claimants in Scotland with mental health issues will be fully supported.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government will introduce a Scottish social security system that respects the dignity of the individual and their fundamental human right to be treated fairly. This means ensuring that the system is genuinely accessible to people with mental heal…
23 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the roll-out of automated external defibrillators.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Our Out-of-Hospital Cardiac (OHCA) Arrest Strategy, launched in March 2015 recognises the importance of increasing the accessibility of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) or public access defibrillators (PADs) to reduce the number of OHCA deaths in Scot…
9 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of women being given custodial sentences and how it supports those who have been involved in offending.
27 Oct 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, which has been in operation for five years.
Answer · John Swinney: As Ministers at the time promised Parliament, during the debates on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Bill, a review of the operation and delivery of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme during the last five years will now be undertaken. We ar…
25 Oct 2016 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place for families of missing persons.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government is currently working with partners and stakeholders to develop a National Missing Persons framework to prevent and reduce the harm related to people going missing. Partnership working, improving current systems and information sharing …
24 Oct 2016 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will seek to improve systems supporting children in care.
14 Sep 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the development of the next mental health strategy.
Answer · Maureen Watt: On 29 July 2016, the Scottish Government published an engagement paper, ‘Mental Health in Scotland – a 10 year vision’. The paper provides an overview of the priorities that we think will deliver significant improvements to the mental health of the population…
31 Aug 2016 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the priorities and objectives for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will be set over the next few years.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Framework) Order 2016 will be laid in Parliament on 5 September 2016. This Order will bring the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, which was published on the Scottish Government’s website today, into effect from…
2 Aug 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the National Litter Strategy has had on reducing littering in (a) North Lanarkshire and (b) Scotland.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Our litter strategy is a five year plan that sets out how Scotland can significantly reduce litter and flytipping and support cleaner, safer communities. It is vital that organisations with roles in helping to tackle litter and flytipping play their part. As…
25 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated unitary charge costs are for the 25-year private contract period for HM Prison Addiewell.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The estimated unitary charge costs for the total of the 25 year contract period for HMP Addiewell is £955 million.
12 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the implementation of a smart card system for public transport similar to the Oyster card.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision that all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram can be made using a single type of smart ticketing, the saltirecard system. Good progress is being made to deliver this vision, summarise…
12 Jul 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the renewable energy sector and how this support benefits the economy.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government strongly supports the development of the renewable energy sector and decarbonisation of our electrical generation and wider energy sector. In order to facilitate its development, the Scottish Government provides a range of support for …