Parliamentary questions
Donald Cameron
1,854 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24281 by Fiona Hyslop on 31 January 2024, whether it will directly address the issue raised in the question regarding whether it has conducted any analysis on whether its proposed increase in rail fares for 2024-25 could potentially lead to an incre…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has not conducted any region specific analysis, however we do not expect a significant increase in traffic numbers in any area.
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much ScotRail estimates that it would cost to improve onboard temperatures on its trains, in light of reports of cold temperatures having been recorded on its trains that operate on the West Highland line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail.
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration ScotRail has given to replacing the entire heating systems on its trains that operate on the West Highland line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Member may wish to note that the reason for the low temperatures on the early services in the West Highland line is not a faulty heating system, but the time it takes for the train diesel engines to heat up. It would not be appropriate to replace the heat…
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what long-term solutions ScotRail is considering to improve onboard temperatures on its trains, in light of reports of cold temperatures having been recorded on its trains that operate on the West Highland line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail, its officials however inform us that they are looking for some short term solutions to improve the temperatures on these trains.
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether ScotRail staff routinely record the onboard temperatures of its trains, and, if not, whether it would consider doing so.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not directly intervene with ScotRail staff duties, this is a matter for ScotRail as the employer. Transport Scotland currently audit ScotRail under the Service Quality Inspection Regime (SQUIRe). The SQUIRe inspectors undertake a…
2 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland has had any discussions with Scotland’s Railway delivery partners regarding plans to upgrade rail infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands region in 2024, and, if so, whether it can publish details of such plans.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland meets with Scotland’s Railway delivery partners on a regular basis to discuss works to maintain, renew and enhance rail infrastructure across the Scottish rail network including the mainland of the Highland and Islands region. Details of su…
2 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessments it has made of future prison constructions to ensure that they are built (a) on time and (b) within budget.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government engages regularly with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to ensure progress on prison infrastructure projects. SPS works closely with contractors and external advisors to ensure value for money, benefits realisation and timely progress…
2 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many leisure centres have closed over the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) year of closure.
Answer · Maree Todd: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. You may wish to contact individual local authorities who may hold this information. The Scottish Government places great importance on community sports and leisure facilities. They a…
2 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) B, (b) single track and (c) unclassified road upgrades it has planned for 2024 in the Highlands and Islands region, and whether it can confirm the (i) projected date of completion and (ii) total budget for each project.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland, working on behalf of Scottish Ministers, have no B roads, single track roads or unclassified roads in the Highlands and Islands region under its responsibility. The local road network is the responsibility of local authorities and they wi…
2 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any steps that are being taken to support farmers in using the methane-suppressing feed additive, Bovaer.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In February 2023, the Scottish Government published its Draft Agricultural Reform List of Measures outlining the intention to develop future agricultural support conditionality options, which could recognise appropriate uptake of methane suppressing feed pr…
2 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prison officer vacancies there were on (a) 31 January 2023 and (b) 31 January 2024.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS does not operate minimum prison officer staffing requirements. SPS has agreed prison officer staffing complements which are tailor…
1 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the commitment set out in its Scottish Connections Framework, what work it is undertaking to "engage with key heritage events around the world such as New York Tartan Week to promote tourism", broken down by country.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government, in its Scottish Connections Framework, committed to continue to engage with key heritage events around the world such as New York Tartan Week. We work with key partners, led by VisitScotland, as part of the Brand Scotland strategic p…
1 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many of its international offices held Burns Night celebrations, and how many of those events were held in co-ordination with the respective UK Government offices and representatives.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Seven of the Scottish Government’s international offices held Burns Night celebrations; three events were held in co-ordination with the respective UK Government offices and representatives. Below is a list of the seven offices and where they were held in co…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its "new evidence-led International Communications Framework", as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government will publish the International Communications Framework before the summer recess.
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will provide to support Scotland’s major tech conferences to make them more international, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies understand the strategic importance of Scotland’s tech conferences in attracting talents and showcasing Scottish companies to international investors and markets. That is why we have invested almost £600k in…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to "seek out innovative ways to showcase Scotland’s culture sector", as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: We are committed to publishing an International Culture Strategy in March 2024. This will set out a number of actions to support the international objectives and ambitions of Scotland’s culture sector.
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what new funding will be available to enable the "facilitation of partnerships between cultural organisations, institutions and museums", as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government is investing at least £100m more annually in culture and the arts by the financial year 2028-29. Through this increased investment we want to drive up opportunities for participation in creative pursuits, support the production of new …
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to "further grow direct air routes from US and Canadian cities", as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland, in partnership with VisitScotland and Scottish Development International, works to help Scotland’s airports secure new routes that are essential for inbound tourism, business connectivity and the economy as a whole. This includes work to g…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for Scottish cultural organisations seeking to tour across the UK.
Answer · Kaukab Stewart: Creative Scotland provides funding to the Four Nations International Fund which fosters greater collaboration between cultural practitioners and/or organisations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales together with international partners based in E…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government with which countries it hopes to enter into memoranda of understanding, and on what date, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Non-binding international agreements such as memoranda of understanding help support international collaboration between Scotland and our international partners across a range of policy areas. Sharing best practice with like-minded partners helps ensure that …
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) where and (b) when it expects to hold an international food summit to promote Scotland’s food and drink sector, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As set out in this year’s Programme for Government and Scotland’s International Strategy, the Scottish Government intends to host an international food summit including a focus on promoting the sector and overall food security. Further detail will be announce…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to "deepen our global collaborations and engagements", as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Our internationally focused work, both in Scotland and overseas, provides us with significant opportunities to collaborate and engage with like-minded partners, to share best practice, to learn from others and to help the Scottish Government develop and deliv…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many formal agreements and partnerships it plans on making with key international stakeholders, and with which countries, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Our international work provides us with significant opportunities to collaborate with like-minded partners, to share best practice, to learn from others and to help the Scottish Government develop and deliver effective policy at home. We have built links with…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Arctic (a) delegations and (b) events it plans to host in each of the next five years, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Since the publication of Scotland’s Arctic policy framework in 2019, the Scottish Government has helped establish Scotland as a valuable contributor to, and host of, Arctic dialogue. Edinburgh will be hosting Arctic Science Summit Week in March 2024 and the S…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to support Scotland's "internationally recognised cultural and higher education sectors" to their full potential, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: As set out in the International Strategy, we want to build on Scotland’s long history of excellence in the cultural and higher education sectors. This is why we have published a standalone International Higher Education Strategy. Universities Scotland and Col…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what new funding will be available to allow Screen Scotland and enterprise agencies to "seek new opportunities to support and grow the screen sector", as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Thanks to continued investment from Scottish Government, the screen sector in Scotland continues to grow. The 2021 Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland Report showed a rise from £567 million GVA in 2019 to £627 million GVA in 2021. Scottish Govern…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20115 by Jenni Minto on 15 August 2023, whether there are any reimbursement schemes available to any patients who are forced to pay for private dental treatment as a result of there being no local NHS provision.
Answer · Jenni Minto: There are no reimbursement schemes available to patients who enter into a private arrangement with a dentist for treatment, and the Scottish Government has no locus for intervention. NHS dental services will continue to be available to patients, and some pat…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20115 by Jenni Minto on 15 August 2023, whether it will provide an update on what progress has since been made to ensure that residents in (a) Dunoon and (b) surrounding communities can access local NHS dental services.
Answer · Jenni Minto: In addition to the range of incentives the Scottish Government have put in place in the Highland area to support NHS dental provision; since August 2023, NHS Highland have: Increased capacity for patients within their evening PDS clinics through the recruitme…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24530 by Fiona Hyslop on 29 January 2024, whether Transport Scotland’s Ferries Unit is in possession of performance and carrying statistics for CalMac for the period after 16 May 2023, in light of its contract management team monitoring the performa…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: CalMac Ferries Ltd have recently provided detail in relation to cancelled and additional sailings beyond 16 May 2023. This will now be reviewed by Transport Scotland. Once reviewed and agreed it will be for CalMac as the operator to publish this information. …
22 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the (a) sale and (b) consumption of drugs in rural communities.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is committed to working collaboratively with partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to reduce the significant harm caused by the illicit drugs trade to communities across Scotland. We are also rolling out the Medication Ass…