Colin Smyth

17 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the 2021-22 draft Budget it has allocated to (a) the Bus Partnership Fund and (b) other bus priority infrastructure schemes.

Answer · Michael Matheson: £35 million of capital funding has been allocated to bus priority infrastructure on local and trunk roads in the 2021-22 financial year. This is part of the Future Transport Fund. The allocation will be split between the Bus Partnership Fund (BPF) and realloc…

17 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether additional funding for the (a) diagnosis, (b) treatment and (c) recording of the prevalence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will be provided as part of the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Once the final Respiratory Action Plan has been published, we will develop a programme for its implementation. This implementation programme will give a clearer understanding of the funding required to deliver the commitments and priorities for asthma, bronch…

17 Feb 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of mental health services in rural areas.

15 Feb 2021 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that passengers entering Scotland from non-red list countries via airports in England are quarantined in approved hotels.

10 Feb 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding long-term replacements for EU funding streams.

9 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking during the COVID-19 lockdown to mitigate the impacts of reduced mobility and the subsequent impact this can have on the incidence of conditions such as venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We recognise that supporting people to remain physically active and keep mobile can reduce the incidence of both venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism. Being physically active is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic as this not only ha…

9 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that patients presenting to healthcare settings with breathlessness are being assessed for (a) venous thromboembolism and (b) pulmonary embolism, in addition to COVID-19.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We expect clinicians to deliver care in line with all relevant clinical guidelines when assessing patients who present themselves at healthcare settings with breathlessness. SIGN Guideline 122 on the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism was int…

9 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether a timeline has been agreed for the resumption of reviews into SIGN guidelines that have been paused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) is reliant on the capacity of front line health and social care professionals working in guideline development groups. Given the current demands these individuals are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, t…

3 Feb 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress being made in developing proposals for remedial action to clean up the Tarbolton Moss Landfill Site.

19 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-34126 by Paul Wheelhouse on 19 January 2021, whether it will provide an estimate of when work on each of the R100 lots will be completed.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The build for both the £83 million Central lot contract and the £133 million South lot contract is estimated to be completed by 2024, with the overwhelming majority of work having been completed by the end of 2023. All build in the South of Scotland lot area …

5 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reinstatement of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, whether it will suspend the 5p carrier bag charge for deliveries and collections.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We have laid draft regulations to re-instate the temporary COVID-related exemption from the single use carrier bag charge for deliveries, collection of pre-ordered groceries and takeaway. If approved by Parliament, these regulations will remain in force until…

18 Dec 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, how much money it expects will be required to support the coach and bus sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and, further to its announcement on 9 December 2020 of a support fund for operators, whether it will confirm how much has been allocated to this fund; how many operators it es…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34152 on 23 December 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/parliamentarybusine…

16 Dec 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on by what date it expects 100% of premises to have access to superfast broadband.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Our 100% commitment will be delivered through three strands of activity - the three R100 contracts (North, Central and South), our Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme and commercial coverage. The contracts we have signed with BT will go significantly beyond our…

15 Dec 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans have been put in place to carry out checks on vehicles transporting goods between Northern Ireland and Scotland via Cairnryan Ferry port, including (a) the preferred location of any lorry parks for such checks, (b) whether additional work will be required to make t…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is in discussions with the UK government regarding the requirements for border controls on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain that do not meet the criteria for unfettered access granted to qualifying Northern Irela…

9 Dec 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the decision to hold jury trials for Dumfries and Stranraer sheriff courts in Ayr.

3 Dec 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a delivery plan setting out detailed proposals for the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Cumberlege report, and what its anticipated timescales are for the implementation of these recommendations.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: As indicated in the 8 September Parliamentary debate on the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, the Scottish Government has accepted all of the recommendations made by Baroness Cumberlege where it has the power to act. It is important to …

2 Dec 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people providing assistance to someone with sight loss or a disabled person in order for them to be able to (a) exercise outside, such as with walking or tandem cycling, and (b) participate in organised sport are exempt from the COVID-19 rules on social distancing.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 provide that so far as reasonably practical, a person who is providing a service or carrying on a business must take measures to ensure the required…

18 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.

12 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of so-called health passports, which document infection and vaccination status for COVID-19 as part of its economic recovery strategy and future pandemic contingency planning, and what impact such an approach could have with helping to strengthen the airbr…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As we gather data on how vaccines confer immunity, we will explore the potential role of immunity passports. However, even with a vaccine, Scotland will face restrictions for some time to come. This is because not all vaccines prevent transmission and some m…

12 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries to protect (a) public health, (b) seafarer health and safety and (c) the continuity of lifeline services between Oban and Barra.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Transport Scotland officials engaged with CalMac to understand whether any lessons could be learned or improvements made to their procedures. CalMac follow Scottish Government guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus for both their staff and passe…

12 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the levels of access to public transport at the end of their shifts for seafarers with (a) CalMac Ferries, (b) Serco NorthLink and (c) private ferry operators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We have closely engaged with all ferry operators throughout the pandemic to fully understand any impacts and mitigations which may be required. As yet, no issues have been raised in any of these discussions with regards to crew accessing public transport at t…

12 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, including how this has impacted on the (a) seafarers affected, (b) the onboard crew when the positive tests were returned, (c) the relief crew and (d) passengers.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has undertaken no specific analysis of the recent Covid-19 outbreak linked to the MV Isle of Lewis. However, Transport Scotland has maintained regular contact with CalMac. It remains the priority of CalMac to ensure the safety of passe…

12 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will verify the authenticity of all COVID-19 test results to ensure the veracity of any mass testing and screening that is planned as a means of safely opening up the economy.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Laboratories in Scotland have now implemented confirmation testing or repeat testing in certain circumstances to confirm whether weak positive test results are actually infectious cases.

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the framework for supporting people through recovery and rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The framework on recovery and rehabilitation from COVID-19 puts in place clear principles, priorities and objectives to support planning to meet increasing demand and to provide high quality person-centred rehabilitation in different settings. This work is b…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the advisers of the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The framework on recovery and rehabilitation from COVID-19 puts in place clear principles, priorities and objectives to support planning to meet increasing demand and to provide high quality person-centred rehabilitation in different settings. This work is b…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a timeline for forming a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: This work is being led by Carolyn McDonald, our Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, supported by a newly appointed Allied Health Professions Advisor for Rehabilitation, to provide leadership and advice in delivering the plan across Scotland. The next st…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) professional bodies and (b) third sector organisations will be able to join the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The framework on recovery and rehabilitation from COVID-19 puts in place clear principles, priorities and objectives to support planning to meet increasing demand and to provide high quality person-centred rehabilitation in different settings. This work is b…

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its COVID-19 Restrictions Fund excludes businesses such as tax drivers who (a) do not have business bank accounts or (b) are not registered for non-domestic rates, in light of their businesses being affected by COVID-19 restrictions.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Businesses are only eligible for the Closure and Hardship and the furlough elements of the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund if they pay Non-Domestic Rates. This is to ensure quick and effective distribution of financial support. We have also announced a Contingency…

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to taxi drivers whose businesses have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions but who (a) do not have business bank accounts and (b) are not registered for non-domestic rates.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Taxi drivers are eligible for financial support through either the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme or the Job Retention Scheme depending on their employment status. Both of these financial support schemes are available to those who do not have a busines…

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of apprenticeships in Scotland that will be created by CalMac Ferries Ltd's ferry maintenance and overhaul strategy in each year between 2020 and 2024.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has not made an estimate of the number of apprenticeships that will be created in Scotland by CalMac Ferries Ltd.’s vessel maintenance and overhaul strategy between 2020 and 2024. It is for the individual shipyards to determine their …