Parliamentary questions
Colin Smyth
990 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish an update on registration statistics for blind and partially sighted people, given that figures were last released in the publication, Registered Blind and Partially Sighted Persons, Scotland 2010.
Answer · Maureen Watt: NHS National Services Scotland is developing a web platform to capture diagnostic data from ophthalmologists and registration data from local authorities or agents acting on their behalf. The first full year of data collection will commence from 1 April 2018.…
20 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the new system of registration of blind and partially sighted people will come into effect, and what planning is taking place to ensure there is reliable data collection and annual reporting.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Scottish Government officials are working in collaboration with medical professionals, and local and third sector partners on the development and introduction of the new Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) Scotland form. This will replace the BP1 form, whi…
13 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss crossborder rail services.
6 Dec 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to improve facilities at HMP Dumfries to meet the needs of older prisoners.
22 Nov 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail regarding reported ticket price anomalies on the Nith Valley line and West Coast Main Line.
20 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing an SVQ for dog trainers on the use of electronic shock collars.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is working with trainers to develop a formally recognised qualification for those who wish to continue using stimulus collars in a controlled and responsible way.
20 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet (a) animal welfare organisations, (b) veterinary organisations, (c) academics and (d) clinical behaviourists to discuss the use of electronic shock collars on dogs.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I meet regularly with a number of animal welfare organisations. I last met with the British Veterinary Association on 31 October 2017. My officials are in regular contact with these organisations and while there are currently no stakeholder meetings scheduled…
20 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to meet ministers in Wales to discuss the use of electronic shock collars on dogs.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has no plans at present to meet ministers in Wales to discuss the use of electronic training collars.
3 Nov 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it will have with (a) animal welfare charities and (b) other groups considered to have expertise in this area, including Battersea Dog & Cats Home ,when drafting its legislation regarding increasing the maximum animal cruelty sentence to five years imprisonment, and by w…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has regular contact with its major animal welfare stakeholders. Recent meetings, including with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home representatives, discussed the Programme for Government 2017-18 commitment to prepare to amend the Animal Heal…
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making continuous glucose monitoring sensors available under prescription to (a) children and (b) adults with type 1 diabetes.
Answer · Shona Robison: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is currently available from NHS Scotland as one of the treatment options in the management of glycaemic control for people living with type 1 diabetes. To increase the provision of CGM for all age groups and insulin pump t…
27 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to raise spending on general practice to 11% of the NHS budget.
Answer · Shona Robison: By the end of this Parliament, the Scottish Government will increase spending on primary care to 11% of the frontline NHS budget. This is an increase of £500 million and will support the development of a multi-disciplinary approach, with increased staffing as…
18 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who will appoint the chairperson of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership and when the appointment will be made.
Answer · Keith Brown: On 13 September, I confirmed that the interim South of Scotland Economic Partnership will be established by the end of the year. Ministers will appoint the chairperson as part of the establishment of the partnership.
18 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) membership and (b) budget will be of the proposed South of Scotland Economic Partnership.
Answer · Keith Brown: On 13 September, I confirmed that the interim South of Scotland Economic Partnership will bring together organisations to support economic growth in the South of Scotland and will involve public and private partners to ensure that the area sees benefits as so…
18 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has had with South Scotland MSPs regarding proposals to establish a South of Scotland Economic Partnership.
Answer · Keith Brown: On 13 September, I confirmed that we would establish an interim South of Scotland Economic Partnership by the end of the year so that the area benefits from a new approach. We are working with stakeholders, including Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish…
18 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has had with South Scotland MSPs regarding proposals to establish a South of Scotland Enterprise Agency.
Answer · Keith Brown: Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review confirmed that we would establish a new public body to support the South of Scotland. Programme for Government published on 5 September confirmed that legislation establishing the body will be introduced into Parlia…
18 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide additional funding for the Schools for the Future programme to allow phase 2 of the Dumfries Learning Town Project to go ahead.
18 Sep 2017 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns raised by Age Scotland that the country faces a crisis in the care sector, with some service users being left without food, water and essential medicines.
13 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to raise greater awareness of less-survivable cancers.
Answer · Shona Robison: Our cancer strategy, ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’, launched in March 2016 with £100 million of investment, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, aiming to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, afterca…
9 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10420 by Keith Brown on 9 August 2017, who will appoint the interim chair of the agency; whether this appointment will be made before stage one of the legislative process has been completed; what the criteria will be for appointments to the board, a…
Answer · Keith Brown: As I said in my answer to S5W-10420, it is intended that the South of Scotland Enterprise Agency will be an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) with a statutory board. Appointments will therefore be made via a process regulated by the Commissioner f…
9 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposed closure by NHS Dumfries and Galloway of the Lochside Dental Clinic; what discussions it has had with the board regarding this matter, and whether it will consider taking action to prevent the closure.
Answer · Shona Robison: Lochside Dental Clinic is a Public Dental Service (PDS) facility. The main role of the PDS is to provide NHS dental services for people with complex care needs and those who are referred by high street dentists for specific treatment. In view of the increas…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote energy storage in the south of Scotland.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government recognises the important role that energy storage technologies will play in Scotland’s transition to a low carbon future. The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise have a number of initiatives to support the promotion of smart, …
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role chambers of commerce will have regarding the proposed south of Scotland enterprise agency.
Answer · Keith Brown: Business engagement is vital to the success of the new agency and we expect organisations such as Chambers of Commerce to play an active part in discussions to shape it. Our engagement with businesses throughout Phase 2 of the Enterprise and Skills Review dem…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09787 by Shona Robison on 17 July 2017, what the detailed timeline is for the publication of the final obesity strategy.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Tackling obesity is a top priority for this Government, there are no quick fixes and it’s important we take the time to get our approach right. We will launch a wide ranging consultation this autumn which will take into account the views of stakeholders and i…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a chair or interim chair of the proposed south of Scotland enterprise agency will be appointed.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10420 on 9 August 2017. 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/parliamentarybusiness/2…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what process will be used to appoint the chair of the proposed south of Scotland enterprise agency.
Answer · Keith Brown: It is intended that the South of Scotland Enterprise Agency will be an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) with a statutory board. Appointments will therefore be made via a process regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life i…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the NHS is preparing for a possible increased uptake of bowel screening following the introduction of qFIT.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: As part of planning for introduction of the new FIT test an Implementation Board, with representation from various organisations including NHS Boards, has been established. This group will oversee delivery of the changes and give careful consideration to any …
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the development of a national public health strategy for Scotland, as recommended by the Public Health Review Group in 2016.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The recommendations of the 2015 Review of Public Health in Scotland (published in February 2016) identified the need for "a single, over-arching population health strategy for Scotland and clear priorities". This recommendation was translated into the Health …
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it is making to raise awareness among (a) GPs and (b) the public of the introduction of qFIT to the bowel screening programme.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: To ensure professionals are aware of the introduction of FIT, the NHS Health Scotland/ bowel screening programme professional briefing toolkit will be updated to reflect the new test. This will be distributed to a wide range of stakeholders including Screenin…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish legislation on the establishment of the proposed south of Scotland enterprise agency.
Answer · Keith Brown: In line with the commitment given in the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review, the Government intends to establish a new public body, the South of Scotland Enterprise Agency. We are planning for the new agency to become effective from 1 April 20…
20 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the budget will be for the proposed south of Scotland enterprise agency.
Answer · Keith Brown: Discussions about the budget to support the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency will continue as part of the implementation stage. We will ensure that investment and budgets to support economic growth in the south of Scotland are strongly aligned to deliv…