Rona Mackay

15 Nov 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the family of Jagtar Singh Johal from Dumbarton, in light of reports that he is being held in prison in Punjab without charge and has faced torture.

1 Nov 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any correspondence that it has had with the UK Government regarding the release of the Brexit impact study on Scotland.

Answer · Michael Russell: Earlier this month I wrote to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, to ask for further discussions with devolved administrations on the analysis of sectorial issues in each part of the United Kingdom. We are still in dark on many…

17 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it helps people in receipt of universal credit with managing their money.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is using its new social security powers to give people in Scotland more choice in how they manage their Universal Credit benefit. From 4 October, people making new claims in full service Universal Credit areas can choose to be paid ei…

7 Jun 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers negative media coverage of the education system could have on pupils and teachers.

23 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the rollout of superfast broadband in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency.

3 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to nursing and midwifery students.

Answer · Shona Robison: In stark contrast to the UK government, we are continuing to protect core bursary support for nursing and midwifery students – this provides eligible students with a non-means tested, non-repayable bursary of £6,578 per year while studying. Earlier this yea…

3 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to report by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) that complaints against lawyers have increased by 23% in the last six months; what assessment it has made of this increase, and what discussions it has had or plans with the SLCC regarding it.

Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government has no role in the regulation of the legal profession. This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission who investigate in the case of a complaint about standard of service and the Law Society of Scotland in relation to di…

20 Feb 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding its decision to end the Dubs scheme for bringing lone child refugees to the UK.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: On 9 February 2017 the First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister expressing disappointment at the recent decision, and urging the UK Government to reconsider. The First Minister reiterated Scotland’s readiness to provide a place of safety to unaccompanied c…

24 Jan 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the planning system will drive forward regeneration and promote long-term economic growth.

9 Jan 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis its education directorate has carried out regarding the number of school leavers who do not go on to further education or reach positive destinations.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: A record low of eight per cent of young people leaving school in 2014-5 in Scotland were not in a positive follow up destination in March 2016. The majority of this group comprised young people that were unemployed and seeking employment or training (5.7 per …

7 Dec 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding Scotland's role in supporting refugees entering the UK.

29 Nov 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making Scottish history a priority subject on the school curriculum.

7 Nov 2016 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported Police Scotland estate review and how it will ensure the outcome has no adverse impact on service delivery.

25 Oct 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what reassurances it can give people from elsewhere in the EU who are working in Scotland regarding protecting their jobs following the UK's decision to leave the EU.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has made very clear that we greatly value the positive contribution that our fellow EU citizens bring to the Scottish economy and society, and that they remain welcome here. The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the UK Gove…

21 Sep 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many local authorities have outstanding equal pay claims.

9 Aug 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the NHS will use nivolumab in the treatment of skin cancer.

Answer · Shona Robison: On 8 August 2016 the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved nivolumab as a single treatment for advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma for restricted use within NHS Scotland. Details of that decision are available at: www.scottishmedicines.org.u…

16 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00024 by Paul Wheelhouse on 9 June 2016, whether the concerns of residents of the village of Torrance in relation to its possible role as a depot for fracking operations will be considered as part of the consultation on fracking.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is committed to involving communities and other stakeholders in key decisions affecting Scotland and the future wellbeing of our communities and natural environment. Our consultation, which will take place following publication of the…

31 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have been accredited each year as living wage employers, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish living wage accreditation initiative provided the following table detailing the relevant breakdown by local authority area as at 7 June 2016. Local Authority 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Aberdeen City 0 1 1 3 5 4 14 Aberde…

31 May 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its moratorium on fracking.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has put in place a moratorium to ensure that no unconventional oil and gas exploration can take place in Scotland while unanswered questions remain. As I made clear in response to the debate on 1 June, we have commissioned a comprehens…