Parliamentary questions
Colin Smyth
990 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Jan 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what resources will be provided to ensure that all students have equitable access to revision support ahead of any exams.
17 Jan 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to tanning salon operators whose business was affected by the recent COVID-19 restrictions on the hospitality sector.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government is aware of the impact the necessary public health restrictions has had on businesses, including tanning salon operators. We recently announced £375m of support for businesses impacted by measures introduced to control the spread of O…
12 Jan 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture minister has had with ministerial colleagues regarding culture-led regeneration of town centres.
10 Jan 2022 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an explanation of its decision not to proceed with the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport at the present time.
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that the format of the paper and downloadable versions of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate only include details of the two most recent COVID-19 vaccinations in the case of those who have also received a third, as a booster vaccination, and if this is the case, for …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05369 on 25 January 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm if the format of the paper and downloadable versions of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which reportedly only include details of the two most recent COVID-19 vaccinations in the case of those who have also received a third, as a booster vaccination, is acceptabl…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Booster information was made available on paper/pdf certificates from 13 December. Only the 2 most recent vaccine doses are included. The certificates have been developed in line with the standards set by the EU on 17 November. The EU set a deadline for all …
20 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the fishing quotas secured during the trilateral negotiations will be distributed to fishing businesses to incentivise more sustainable practices.
16 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide to compensate for the impact that recent temporary emergency COVID-19 restrictions have had on airports.
Answer · Graeme Dey: We have provided support to the aviation sector within the powers available to us. We are providing 100% non-domestic rates relief for the sector for 2021-22. As the owner of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) we continue to provide HIAL with the f…
16 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision to remove all countries from the international travel red list, whether it plans to review the requirements for passengers to undertake (a) a pre-departure test, (b) self-isolation until a negative "day 2" test result, (c) a "day 2" PCR test instead of a lateral…
Answer · Michael Matheson: In response to the Omicron variant, travel restrictions were reintroduced to limit importation of the virus into Scotland and across the UK. Following four nations discussions on 5 January 2022, the decision has been taken to remove these measures. From Frid…
15 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on small businesses of non-domestic rates being reintroduced after the first three months of the new financial year.
12 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how long it takes currently, after a COVID-19 booster vaccine is administered, for the information to be available through the COVID status app.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Proof of COVID-19 booster vaccination will appear on the NHS Scotland Covid Status app within 24 hours of the vaccine being administered.
9 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much NHS Scotland spends annually on the (a) diagnosis of, (b) treatment of, (c) management of and (d) rehabilitation services for (i) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (ii) interstitial lung disease.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government provides baseline funding to NHS Boards and it is for Boards to determine how to use this funding to meet the healthcare needs of their resident population. In 2021-22, Health funding exceeds £16 billion with £11.6 billion allocated t…
9 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the early diagnosis of (a) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (b) interstitial lung disease.
Answer · Maree Todd: On 24 March 2021, we published our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland that sets out our vision for driving improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with Asthma, Bronchiectasis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary…
9 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects on the diagnosis of (a) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (b) interstitial lung disease.
Answer · Maree Todd: These conditions are usually recorded in an inpatient setting. Public Health Scotland can confirm that the SMR01 dataset contains records where idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease are listed as the primary diagnosis.
2 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-4128 by Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2021, whether it will provide an update on when details of COVID-19 booster vaccinations will be added to COVID-19 vaccine certification.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04874 on ? 20 December 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-comm…
1 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the agriculture and fisheries sectors to play a leading role in delivering a net zero Scotland.
30 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the scope will be of the forthcoming review of snaring.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: A statutory review as required by section 11F of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is currently underway which will be complete early in 2022. We are also currently developing the scope for a wider review of aspects of snaring including the question of a…
15 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reopen the Dumfries-Stranraer railway line.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The reopening of the Dumfries-Stranraer railway line is being considered within the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. This option is one of a number investments in the rail network across Scotland, that are being appraised as part of the Review. T…
8 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine passport scheme, including on the hospitality sector.
30 Oct 2021 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to businesses and residents affected by recent flooding.
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a bid in place for the purchase of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and if so, whether it is lower in value than previous bids made.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The process to return Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the private sector continues and decisions have still to be taken in relation to the prospective sale of the business. We have committed to updating Parliament on the sale process at the appropriate stage an…
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the criteria, that the new owner of Glasgow Prestwick Airport must maximise the employment potential of the airport, will ensure there will be no immediate redundancies, should the airport be sold.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government wants to maximise the employment potential associated with the business and this requirement was included in the Eligibility Questionnaire for that reason. With the process to return Prestwick Airport to the private sector continuing, …
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport will be subject to a requirement that commercial passenger flights from the airport must continue.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Eligibility Questionnaire required bidders to demonstrate their capability and commitment to maintaining Prestwick Airport as an operational airport. With the process to return Prestwick Airport to the private sector continuing, it would not be appropriat…
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to ensuring that all of the loans it has made to Glasgow Prestwick Airport are repaid in full by the new owner, should the airport be sold.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The full value of loan and its accrued interest remain repayable. With the process to return Prestwick Airport to the private sector continuing, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment further at this time.
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the use of non-animal alternatives in research and testing that currently uses animals.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates the use of animals in scientific procedures in the UK. This is a reserved area of legislation. The Scottish Government asks the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to liaise with research institutes and outli…
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding ending the use of animals in research and testing.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to the use of animals in research and testing. The use of animals in research and testing is an area of policy reserved to the United Kingdom government, and is overseen by the Home Office.
20 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil service jobs have been redistributed to the South Scotland region over the past five years, broken down by area.
Answer · Angus Robertson: During the last five years no civil service jobs within the Scottish Government have been specifically relocated to South Scotland region. However, in the Scottish Government Main bargaining unit (SGM), which comprises Core SG Directorates and associated Age…
20 Oct 2021 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with trade unions across all portfolio areas, including in relation to any upcoming industrial action.
Answer · Ivan McKee: A progressive approach to industrial relations and trade unionism is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society. The Minister for Fair Work meets regularly with our trade union partners and values this regular, open and constructive dialogue. Indeed, h…
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much active travel funding it has provided to each local authority in each of the last three years, also broken down by support from the (a) Spaces for People and (b) Places for Everyone Fund.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our active travel funding is predominantly provided to local authorities through national enabling bodies who have the expertise and manpower to appraise and work with them and other community partners to deliver local projects. In this financial year two of…
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the National Cycle Network Route 73 between Stranraer and Cairnryan, and whether it has taken any steps to carry this work out.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government provides Sustrans with funding to maintain and extend the National Cycle Network (NCN) in Scotland, with £4.065 million this financial year alone. And where the NCN interacts with the trunk road network, Sustrans and Transport Scotland…