Maree Todd

1 Feb 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits could be of extending the minor ailment service to all patients registered with a GP.

25 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is being given to specific circumstances in Orkney and Shetland as part of NHS Scotland’s review of forensic examination services, and how services there compare to services in other rural and island communities.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We accept there are real challenges in helping deliver the minimum standards across Scotland and these challenges can often be more difficult in island and rural locations. However someone who has been the victim of rape in an island community has the same ri…

24 Jan 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role it considers charities and the third sector play in helping people and creating an equal and fairer society.

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether Scottish fishing stocks will be used as leverage to provide other sectors of the UK’s economy with access to the single market as part of the UK's negotiations on exiting the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06425 on 1 February 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/parliamentarybusines…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding prohibiting the trading away of access to Scottish waters to fishermen from the EU on a long-term or permanent basis after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: While the UK Government has yet to commence its formal Brexit negotiations, a firm guarantee that long term or permanent access to Scottish waters will not be used as a “bargaining chip” in Brexit negotiations has repeatedly been sought by Scottish Ministers,…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether the seasonal workers from the EU who work in Scotland's agriculture sector will face barriers to employment after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Michael Russell: We know that the UK vote to leave the EU has created significant uncertainty within the agriculture sector and we need to ensure the continued protection of the rights of all workers employed in Scotland’s rural economy. The Scottish Government’s paper 'Scot…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether any future trade agreement with the United States will not have a negative impact on farming standards in Scotland.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is fully committed to working and discussing with the UK Government, as well as the other Devolved Administrations, the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. In line with ‘Scotland’s Place in Europe’, the Scottish Government has s…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether Scotland’s 16.5% share of the UK common agriculture policy (CAP) allocation will be reduced under any future rural funding arrangement after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is fully committed to working on and discussing with the UK Government, as well as the other Devolved Administrations, the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. The UK Government’s statements to date on future funding do not provi…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether it will maintain the level of common agriculture policy (CAP) support given to Scotland's farmers after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is fully committed to working on and discussing with the UK Government, as well as the other Devolved Administrations, the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. The UK Government’s statements to date on future funding do not give …

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding what the impact would be of introducing common standards and frameworks for the UK domestic market after the UK leaves the EU on any further devolution of powers over agriculture and fisheries.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: No detailed discussions on the impact of common standards and frameworks have been undertaken with the UK Government. In the event that the UK Government refuses to protect our interests by remaining in the Single Market, however, common standards will be a k…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether it will maintain the budget allocation given to Scotland under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: When I met with DEFRA Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom on 2 November 2016 I sought guarantees that LFASS payments, which are a vital income support for livestock producers and help to maintain fragile rural communities, will be honoured in 2019. Following t…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK regarding whether it will maintain the support that the Scottish seafood and marine sectors receive under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: No detailed discussions on future funding arrangements for the seafood and marine sectors have been undertaken. While the UK Government has guaranteed European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)support to 2020, it has failed to provide any assurances about lo…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether the competencies reserved to the EU over (a) agriculture and (b) fisheries will be devolved after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We have yet to undertake formal engagement with the UK Government on the detailed arrangements relating to the “repatriation” of EU competencies in terms of fisheries and agriculture. The Scottish Government has made clear, however, its expectation that any p…

16 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice the NHS gives to patients regarding the risks associated with self-medicating.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS inform, Scotland's digital health and care information service provides reliable, quality assured information to the public across a range of channels including online, telephone (0800 22 44 88 8am-10pm), web-chat and social media. The website contains ad…

16 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it educates (a) patients and (b) clinicians on overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Answer · Shona Robison: Tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and reducing healthcare associated infections remain key priorities for Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government is working closely with key partners such as the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) and Na…

16 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider the seven recommendations made by Prof David Galloway of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow on tackling the problem of so-called "online pharmacies" selling antibiotics without prescriptions.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06209 on 25 January 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/parliamentarybusines…

16 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to address online sales of antibiotics, given reports of the threats posed from drug resistance.

Answer · Shona Robison: All registered pharmacies in Great Britain, whether operating online or in a traditional manner, are required to meet the standards for registered pharmacies at all times as prescribed by the pharmacy regulatory body. This includes the management of medicines…

20 Dec 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward the recommendations of the Review of Access to New Medicines.

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the fifth supplementary to question SF5-00643 by the First Minister on 15 December 2016 (Official Report, c. 15), whether it will provide an update on discussions that it has had with the UK Government regarding plans to conduct ship-to-ship oil transfers in the…

Answer · Keith Brown: In October Scottish Ministers wrote to the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to reiterate that the Scottish Government should be formally consulted on all applications for Oil Transfer Licences in Scottish Waters. In addition Scottis…

5 Dec 2016 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the expected impact on health will be from the ban on smoking in cars with children present.

29 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact BP’s acquisition of two new prospects off the coast of Shetland will have on jobs and skills capacity throughout the (a) exploration and drilling phase and (b) lifetime production of the fields.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is fully committed to the oil and gas industry; it has been a true success story and we are working to ensure that it will continue to be so.

29 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government’s consistently supportive approach to renewable energy has been a key factor in maintaining investor confidence and enabling the growth of the sector. This support is provided in a variety of ways, including ambitious renewable energy …

7 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential economic and social impact, what its response is to reports that Fort George Barracks is under threat of closure.

Answer · Keith Brown: On 7 November 2016, the Defence Secretary announced eight sites for disposal in Scotland, including plans for the Army to vacate Fort George. No consultation took place with the Scottish Government ahead of this announcement, even in the case of Fort George w…

31 Aug 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the establishment of Orkney as a centre for excellence or living laboratory in relation to energy storage and transformation.

18 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the potential benefits are to young people of being taught Scots or Gaelic.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is clear that there are many benefits to young people being taught Scots or Gaelic. It has the potential to create a secure future for the languages in Scotland and also enriches Scottish education and cultural life. It provides langua…

15 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the teaching of (a) Scots and (b) Gaelic in (i) schools and (ii) communities.

Answer · John Swinney: (a)(i) The Scottish Government has appointed a number of Scots Language Co-ordinators to work in Education Scotland with the specific remit of developing and promoting the use of Scots in schools. Scottish Language Dictionaries also contributes to this work b…

15 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils will be taught (a) Scots and (b) Gaelic in 2016-17.

Answer · John Swinney: (a) The Scottish Government does not collect or hold data on pupils taught Scots in schools. The number of entries for the SQA’s Scots Language Award in 2015-16 was 127, though not all pupils taught Scots will be entered for a qualification in the subject. (…

29 Jun 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the traffic assessment at the Longman roundabout in Inverness.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: An assessment by our operating company for the north west unit, BEAR Scotland, has been completed and the outcomes of traffic modelling have shown that amending the signal timings will offer the most efficient solution to current queuing and delay experienced…

9 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the chief executive officer of Highlands and Islands Enterprise has tendered his resignation.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Chief Executive Officer of Highlands and Islands Enterprise tendered his resignation to become Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland.

8 Jun 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on reducing ferry fares for the Northern Isles.