Parliamentary questions
Donald Cameron
1,854 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it anticipates it will launch a pilot Scottish Connections Fund, as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework, and how much funding it will allocate to this.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government, in its Scottish Connections Framework, committed to pilot a Scottish Connections Fund to support the aims of the Framework. The fund will support initiatives that bring together those with a connection to Scotland, promote Scotland’…
18 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish Connections Framework to establish an external advisory group, on what date the group will be launched; how many members it will have, and how often it will report to the Scottish Government.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government, in its Scottish Connections Framework, committed to establishing an external advisory group drawing on the knowledge and experience of our international diaspora and from expertise in Scotland and beyond. Officials are currently devel…
18 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates its "public-facing digital directory of organisations around the world affiliated with Scotland", as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework, will go live, and how it will be accessed.
Answer · Angus Robertson: A digital directory of organisations with a Scottish connection will launch in 2023. The directory will be hosted on the Scottish Government’s international-facing website www.scotland.org and will be available for all to access without registration. The …
18 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it anticipates it will launch its diaspora recognition award, as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework, and how many will be awarded each year.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government, in its Scottish Connections Framework, committed to launch a diaspora recognition award, marking the achievements of our diaspora, and that this would be launched over this parliament following its design with diaspora communities and…
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants have worked on the fourth publication of the Building a New Scotland series, given as a (a) headcount and (b) FTE staff figure.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Work to develop the prospectus is drawing on a range of officials across the organisation who will contribute to varying extents as part of their wider responsibilities in supporting the Scottish Government. The exact number of officials contributing as part …
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on whether there are any other areas, in addition to Argyll and Bute, in which traders are operating who are offering home energy products and are incorrectly claiming to be working on behalf of the local authority and Home Energy Scotland.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The regulation of consumer protection is reserved to the UK Government. As such, the Scottish Government does not hold the requested information. However, the Scottish Government is determined to take action where it can to try and prevent consumers experien…
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking following the warnings from Argyll and Bute Council’s Trading Standards and Home Energy Efficiency Team to householders that there are traders operating in the local area who are offering home energy products and are incorrectly claiming to be working on behalf o…
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18108 on 31 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…
12 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate establishing a fund for Scotland similar to the UK Government's Safer Roads Fund, and, if so, whether it will be on a similar scale, in light of the UK Government investing £47.5 million in its fund.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Road safety remains an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. We remain determined that we continue to make investments which supports our Road Safety Framework to 2030, which sets out our vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance i…
12 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-02056 by Humza Yousaf on 4 May 2023, and his statement that the Scottish Government “will not impose Highly Protected Marine Areas on any community that is vehemently opposed to them”, how it defines what “vehemently opposed” means in relation to th…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Our seas must remain a source of prosperity for the nation, especially in our remote, coastal and island communities. It is vital that those communities help shape the creation of Highly Protected Marine Areas, which is why we chose to consult early on in the…
12 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of young people in the Highlands and Islands region have received a card through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme as of May 2023, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: As at the end of the day 30 April 2023, there were 40,969 cardholders under the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme in six local authority areas across the Highlands and Islands Region. Uptake against the estimated eligible population in each local authorit…
10 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10178 by Jenny Gilruth on 7 September 2022, whether it will provide an update on the total cost of any financial penalties issued by Transport Scotland to CalMac Ferries Ltd since October 2021.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The level of financial penalties incurred by CalMac Ferries Ltd since October 2021 is detailed in the following table: CHFS2 CY06 Oct 2021 - Sept 2022 £ 3,088,064 CY07 (to date) Oct 2022 - March 2023 £ 1,454,997
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that Ukrainians who have (a) recently arrived and (b) already settled in Scotland have access to the guide, Scotland for Ukrainians: a guide for displaced people, which was published on 2 May 2023.
Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government has undertaken a range of measures to promote the guidance for displaced people from Ukraine. At the point of publication, the guidance was issued via direct mailing to a wide range of stakeholders and delivery partners, including loca…
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of hearing aid technicians in rural areas.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is working to develop a sustainable healthcare workforce. We continue to look for opportunities to increase levels of recruitment and retention of healthcare staff in rural areas and we will develop a Remote and Rural workforce recruit…
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Ukrainians in Scotland are registered with a GP.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government does not hold this data. Guidance was issued to Health Boards in April 2022 setting out our expectation that Health Boards will ensure Ukrainian refugees have access to GP practices.
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how often it plans to update the guide, Scotland for Ukrainians: a guide for displaced people, which was published on 2 May 2023, to ensure that it contains the most up-to-date information for Ukrainians in Scotland.
Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government will update the guidance regularly to ensure displaced people from Ukraine have up to date information. Updates have been made since the guidance was first published in 6 th April 2023. We will continue to review the guidance – and lis…
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date the new Talent Attraction and Migration Service will be launched.
Answer · Emma Roddick: In the 2022 Programme for Government, and more recently in the FM’s policy prospectus, the Scottish Government has committed to launch a Talent Attraction and Migration Service for Scotland. The service is in the early stages of development and we intend to l…
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported local concerns about accessing a dentist in Campbeltown.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government engages closely with NHS Highland on dental service delivery matters and has put in place a framework of support to facilitate local solutions. This includes Scottish Dental Access Initiative (SDAI) grant support, which pays out a po…
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the 3,124 Ukrainian children enrolled in schools as of 31 March 2023, how many were enrolled in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Of the 3,124 Ukrainian children enrolled in schools as of 31 March 2023, 1,718 were enrolled in primary schools and 1,406 were enrolled in secondary schools. This data is available by local authority area in the following table. Number of Ukranian Pupils who…
4 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government where the new Talent Attraction and Migration Service will be based; how many jobs it will create, and how many companies it aims to work with per month.
Answer · Emma Roddick: The Talent Attraction and Migration Service will be delivered through an online digital platform. Users will be able to access the service from anywhere in Scotland. The service will help employers navigate the UK’s immigration rules and provide reception sup…
2 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17165 by Angus Robertson on 2 May 2023, for what reason it does not hold this information centrally; whether it retains emails relating to invitations to events, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Angus Robertson: With widespread international interest in our work, the Scottish Government receives a great number of invitations, across all portfolios and both formally and informally, for Ministers to attend international events. As many of these requests are made person…
27 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered introducing a compensation scheme for (a) residents and (b) businesses who are impacted by (i) short-notice and (ii) long-notice, ferry cancellations.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: I recognise the impact that delays and disruption have regrettably had on our island communities and I am committed to investing in our ferry services. Indeed, my focus currently is on building resilience within the network. I have noted the calls for compen…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) mitigate and (b) reduce the number of speeding offences on the North Coast 500 route.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government are investing £7.08m through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme in 2023-24 to reduce the number of casualties on Scotland’s roads by encouraging improved driver behaviour through the targeted deployment of safety cameras. A range of…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the lack of a freight ferry service for the Corran Narrows while the (a) regular and (b) relief vessels remain out of service.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Highland Council-run services between the Ardnamurchan peninsula and Corran have been cancelled for at least seven weeks as two vessels are repaired. The implementation of any temporary replacement service is a matter for the local authority. The Scottish Go…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Ministry of Defence regarding providing a temporary replacement ferry service for the Corran Narrows.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Highland Council is currently working with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to explore options for military support. Once those discussions are complete, it will be for Highland Council to decide whether to proceed with a request for Military Aid to the Civil Au…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist Highland Council in securing a temporary freight service for the Corran Narrows, in light of reports that a temporary passenger-only service has been made available.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Highland Council-run services between the Ardnamurchan peninsula and Corran have been cancelled for at least seven weeks as two vessels are repaired. The implementation of any temporary replacement service is a matter for the local authority. The Scottish Go…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to mitigate the risk of wildfires, in light of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reportedly stating that the risk of wildfire in parts of Scotland was “extreme”.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The weather conditions and condition of the vegetation on the hills and moors of Scotland at this time of year lend themselves to fires starting easily and spreading quickly. This is something the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is very aware of, and …
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is taking to protect care home residents in the Highlands and Islands region from any risks associated with care home closures.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has clear standards for the quality of care across our health and social care services and the safety, protection and wellbeing of residents and staff in our care home sector is a priority. We have for each of the last three years prov…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17078 by Emma Roddick on 20 April 2023, when it plans to publish its Disability Equality strategy.
Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government continues to work closely with the steering group, made up of Disabled People’s Organisations, to co-design the new Disability Equality strategy. The group met several times in 2022 and are focused on developing responses to the challe…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the former Minister for Transport, during the members’ business debate on motion S6M-06478 on 21 March 2023, that she would "ask Transport Scotland officials to speak to Argyll and Bute Council" in relation to reported road traffic accidents on the A815, whethe…
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Transport Scotland officials have liaised with Argyll and Bute council and Police Scotland regarding the road safety performance of the A815. As a Police investigation into a recent road traffic collision is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comme…
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken any assessment of how its proposed Highly Protected Marine Areas will impact its aim to grow Scotland's blue economy, and, if so, whether it will publish details of this work.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scotland's Blue Economy Vision has been developed from the fundamental principle that Scotland's economy is embedded within nature, not external to it. At its core, our Vision recognises that economic prosperity and well-being are underpinned by nature and in…