Parliamentary questions
Colin Smyth
990 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in updating the vessel replacement and deployment plan for the (a) Clyde and Hebrides and (b) Northern Isle ferry fleet, and by what date this will be published.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan (VRDP) annual report is currently being drafted. Updated growth forecasts for Clyde and Hebrides routes have been produced, based on 2017 and 2018 carryings. The report will also take into account the findings now …
23 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the MV Isle of Lewis was last in dry dock for scheduled maintenance work prior to its mechanical failure at Castlebay ferry terminal, Barra, in April 2019, and how much this incident will cost to repair the vessel.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: MV Isle of Lewis’ most recent period in dry dock for scheduled annual maintenance work was 28 January to 14 February 2019. The cost of repairs to the vessel after the technical incident at Castlebay Ferry Terminal on Barra in April 2019 was £4,189.
18 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the duration of the current Northern Isles Ferry Services tender process, and when it expects that process to be completed by.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23019 answered on 8 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamen…
18 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons data relating to the operation of Pentland Ferries services is not available for inclusion in the annual Scottish Transport Statistics.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Pentland Ferries are a wholly private, commercial unlimited company, and as such it is their decision to take on what data is made publically available. However, I am aware that Transport Scotland officials have previously requested such information from Pent…
18 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with representatives from Pentland Ferries regarding the application of the road equivalent tariff on ferry services between Gill’s Bay and St Margaret’s Hope.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Between June 2016 and June 2018 there were a total of sixteen meetings between Ministers and/or Transport Scotland officials and Pentland Ferries regarding the potential introduction of reduced ferry fares to Orkney. Ministers participated in four of these me…
18 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the results of Transport Scotland’s 2018 review of the road equivalent tariff formula.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Consultants acting on behalf of Transport Scotland are currently conducting an extensive, network-wide evaluation of RET, which will focus on the 2015 roll out routes, and feature secondary data analysis for the full network. The evaluation is due to conc…
17 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many bone marrow transplants for people with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) in each of the last 10 years have led to significant complications (a) during and (b) after the procedure, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Based on data provided to the Information Services Division of NHS Scotland, less than 5 patients in Scotland with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) who received a bone marrow transplant had a reported diagnosis of bone-marrow transplant rejection between April 200…
17 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what processes are followed ahead of a bone marrow transplant for people with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) to ensure that there is sufficient expertise and experience available to guarantee patient safety.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Normal governance mechanisms are in place to ensure that that treatments are planned by a multi-disciplinary team who are accredited specialists and who undergo regular revalidation. The recommendation of any medical intervention is based on risk versus bene…
17 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards automatically put in place an airway management plan for people with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) when they are admitted to hospital.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. NHS Boards and healthcare professionals locally have responsibility for service delivery and patient treatment. For this reason NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Board would be best placed to provide thi…
17 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances people with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), who are considered to be high-risk as they might experience airway complications before, during or after a procedure, could be recommended for a bone marrow transplant operation.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Decisions on recommendations for a bone marrow transplant operation are made on a case by case basis by a clinician, following all relevant guidelines and assessment of risk and benefits to the patient.
17 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what protocols are in place to ensure that the correct procedures are followed when treating people with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) who are at risk of allergic reactions, including those who have recorded an antibody build up during enzyme replacement therapy.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: There are established guidelines for identification and reduction of allergic reactions throughout Medical services to minimise risk. Protocols include seeking a history of allergy before medical interventions at risk of producing an allergy.
17 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the mortality rate is for people with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), and which NHS boards routinely provide this information when consulting patients regarding bone marrow transplant procedures.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. NHS Boards and healthcare professionals locally have responsibility for service delivery and patient treatment. For this reason NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Board would be best placed to provide thi…
16 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date the standards document setting out guidance on pavement parking exemptions will be published, and whether this will be prior to stage 3 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We do not intend to publish the Parking Standards document until the Transport (Scotland) Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament and the relevant parking provisions have been commenced. This will ensure that any changes to the parking provisions at S…
4 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how doctors in training at Foundation Year (a) 1 and (b) 2 are allocated across (i) NHS boards and (ii) other national bodies.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: There are 1700 Foundation Year (FY) doctors, split equally between FY1 and FY2. In Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has operational responsibility for the recruitment and monitoring of trainee doctors in GMC-approved training programmes, which it o…
4 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it has provided to NHS Dumfries and Galloway to help recruit GPs across the region.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with Dumfires and Galloway Health & Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) as part of their active engagement with the Scottish Government's Improving GP Sustainability Working Group. As part of this work officials, inc…
4 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many doctors in training were allocated to NHS Dumfries and Galloway in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017 and (d) 2018.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The number of doctors in training in Dumfries and Galloway has remained at 94 each year since 2015, rising to 95 in 2018-19. The 95 covers all Foundation, Core and Specialty trainees including General Practice. Dumfries & Galloway 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 …
2 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total franchise subsidy paid to ScotRail will be in 2018-19.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The figures have not yet been released as they are still being audited. They will be published on the Transport Scotland Website in approximately October 2019. The figures for 2017-18 can be found here https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/annual-report-…
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether ScotRail’s remedial plan includes contractual requirements on (a) cancellations and (b) punctuality and, if so, whether breaching these would constitute a default.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In accordance with the franchise, a Remedial Agreement has been entered into between Scottish Ministers and Abellio ScotRail to contractualise the Remedial Plan. The Remedial Agreement sets out the terms for implementing commitments contained in the Remedial …
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the ScotRail remedial plan target of exiting breach PPM levels by March 2020 is contractually binding.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In accordance with the franchise, a Remedial Agreement has been entered into between Scottish Ministers and Abellio ScotRail to contractualise the Remedial Plan. The contractual terms of the Remedial Agreement between Scottish Ministers and Abellio ScotRail c…
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch its review on young people’s concessionary travel, including its appraisal of free bus travel for people under 26; what the terms of reference will be; who will carry it out, and by what date the findings will be published.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As part of the National Transport Strategy (NTS) Review, Transport Scotland is working with stakeholders to review an extension of discounts on public transport available to those under the age of 26 (this incorporates a cost and benefits appraisal on extendi…
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will consult on proposed changes to the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, and whether it aims to bring the changes into force before May 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government consulted in 2017 on the recommendations made by Lord Bonomy in his review of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002. We expect to consult on any changes to the law on fox hunting that we may propose. The Scottish Governme…
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reconsider the terms of the seal licensing scheme.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Section 129 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 places a duty on Scottish Ministers to review and publish a report on the operation of the seal licensing regime every five years. The next review is due to report on 1 September 2020. The review will cover all a…
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many ScotRail trains have stop-skipped in each reporting period of the last year, also broken down as a percentage of all trains that ran in each period.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The following table details the number of services which failed to stop (skip stopped) during each 4 weekly period from Period 12 17-18 to Period 12 18-19 and the overall percentage. Period Failed To Stop Failed To Stop % 1718_12 374 0.7% 1718_13 319 …
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the collective bargaining agreements on the NorthLink fleet will be extended to the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay when they are purchased by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Following the purchase of the two freight vessels, employment terms and conditions of staff employed on the MV Hildasay and MV Helliar will be given full consideration by Serco NorthLink Ferries, reflecting the principles set out under the Scottish Government…
27 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited to purchase the MV (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, on behalf of the Scottish Government, negotiated the terms for the purchase of the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay with the vessels owners, Fortress. The purchase of these freighters was concluded on 25 March 2019. The terms fo…
25 Feb 2019 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on a ban on live animal exports.
21 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Public Sector Bidder Stakeholder Reference Group will next meet to discuss Scotland's railway franchise.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I will update the Reference Group after we have received and considered the findings from the Williams Rail Review, which is likely to lead to substantial changes in the franchising arrangements across the UK.
21 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position to put forward a public sector bid when the rail franchise is next tendered, and, if so, what steps it is taking to develop a bid.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The position of the Scottish Government remains unchanged from the the answer to question S5W-18378 on 23 August 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at htt…
14 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much grant-in-aid has been paid in each year since 2008-09 to (a) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and (b) local authorities for pier and harbour projects.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government provides financial support to local authorities for piers and harbours as part of the annual local government finance settlement. Since the concordat with local government was established, there has been no separately identifiable ring…
14 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) young, (b) older and (c) disabled people have travelled on (i) CalMac, (ii) Serco, (iii) Pentland Ferries, (iv) John O’Groats Ferries, (v) Shetland Ferries and (vi) Orkney Ferries in each year since 2008-09, also broken down by what grant payments the operator received each …
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Information on recent and historic passenger carryings for CalMac Ferries Ltd, Serco NorthLink Ferries, Shetland Ferries and Orkney Ferries is published in the Scottish Government’s Scottish Transport Statistics publication. https://www.transport.gov.scot/pu…