Donald Cameron

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08412 by Lorna Slater on 19 May 2022, how many individual bids have local authorities made to the Recycling Improvement Fund since it was established, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The following figures are correct as at December 2022, when the last Recycling Improvement Fund Board was convened. Local Authority Number of Bids Aberdeen City 6 Aberdeenshire 2 Argyll & Bute 2 City of Edinburgh 1 Clackmannanshire 4 Dumfries & G…

2 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14449 by Neil Gray on 2 February 2023, whether it will publish another Two Year Annual Report on Activities of the National Performing Companies in the future.

Answer · Neil Gray: As noted in my answer to question S6W-14449, work on the two-year report on the activities of the National Performing Companies was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I will consider whether this work should be restarted given the National Performing Co…

1 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the announcement by the UK Government of a fund to stimulate innovation in occupational health, and whether it will investigate establishing a similar fund.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has long recognised that health and work are inextricably linked. Creating workplaces which support and promote good physical and mental health benefits both employees and employers. While health and safety legislation itself is reser…

30 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is allowing social landlords and private landlords different percentage rent uplifts.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 is a response to the impact of the cost crisis on those living in the rented sector. The Scottish Government has made clear provisions in the Act must be expired or suspended if they are no longer con…

30 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is allowing social landlords to increase rents by up to 11.1%.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Scotland leads the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK, and we have committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which at least 70% will be available for social rent. Enabling continued investment in the delivery of high-qu…

30 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is allowing private landlords to increase rents by up to 3%.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: To respond to the emergency situation caused by the impact of the cost crisis on those living in the rented sector, the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 introduced a temporary, variable rent cap, initially set at 0% and in place until 31…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason CalMac’s emergency timetable change for the Oban-Craignure route in January 2023 was reportedly not communicated to Mull’s bus operator, West Coast Motors, in light of reports that this resulted in long waits for passengers between connections and journey times of up to s…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I am advised by Transport Scotland that CalMac Ferries informed West Coast Motors, who operate the bus service on Mull, of their revised timetable for the Oban-Craignure route on 29 December 2022. A revised bus timetable was implemented by West Coast Motors b…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with BBC Scotland since its reported announcement to end the shows, Classics Unwrapped, Jazz Nights and Pipeline.

Answer · Angus Robertson: While the BBC is operationally and editorially independent, the Scottish Government recognises and shares the music sector’s disappointment with the decision to decommission some cultural music programming on Radio Scotland. We acknowledge the challenging fi…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date CalMac was advised that there would be a delay to the time that the Isle of Mull ferry would have to spend in dry dock, which led to the necessity of introducing an emergency timetable for the Oban-Craignure route in January 2023.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: CalMac Ferries informed Transport Scotland on 16 December 2022 of risk MV Isle Mull overhaul would be delayed. This resulted in CalMac Ferries introducing an amended single vessel service on the Oban-Craignure route from 26 December 2022 to 18 January 2023.

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that there continue to be similar avenues available for young and establishing musicians, in light of BBC Scotland’s reported announcement that it plans to end the shows, Classics Unwrapped, Jazz Nights and Pipeline.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government recognises and shares the music sector’s concern with the decision to reduce the breadth of cultural music programming on Radio Scotland. Certain musical forms, such as piping or jazz, are not traditionally thought of as mainstream mus…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was distributed by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust in each of the last five years.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) is not funded by the Scottish Government therefore we do not hold this information. Further information on their funding can be found on their website www.sspdt.org.uk .

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated to the National Piping Centre in each of the last five years.

Answer · Neil Gray: The National Piping Centre is a Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO) through Creative Scotland and has received £150,000 each year through their RFO grant since 2018. The National Piping Centre has also received additional funding support from the Youth Music …

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered providing support to any other commercial ferry operators as a result of Transport Scotland’s decision to freeze fares for CalMac and Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Decisions on fares are a matter for those operators.

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) CalMac and (b) Serco NorthLink Ferries with any additional subsidy as a result of the decision to freeze fares for the first six months of 2023-24.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The decision to implement a fares freeze until October 2023 will reduce the income received by operators across that period which may require additional subsidy once any final costs are known or increased patronage is considered. This will be reconciled with …

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether a ministerial direction was issued to Transport Scotland officials to freeze ferry fares for (a) CalMac and (b) Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: No Ministerial direction was issued related to the freezing of ferry fares.

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are employed by Architecture and Design Scotland, broken down by pay banding.

Answer · Neil Gray: The following table sets out the number of Architecture and Design Scotland staff, broken down by pay banding, permanent staff, fixed term appointments (FTA) and full time equivalent (FTE). Grade Permanent FTA Total FTE A4 2 0 2 1.5 B1 2 3 5 5 …

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost will be of closing any sites managed by VisitScotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023.

Answer · Ivan McKee: There was minimal impact, and no disruption to any of VisitScotland's services as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023. No sites managed by VisitScotland were closed, as such, no costs were incurred as a r…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023, on the work of the National Museums of Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government discussed with National Museums of Scotland the effect of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023. NMS opened the 1st floor of the National Museum of Scotland – which includes Animal World, Kingdom…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an estimate of how long it will take Registers of Scotland to clear any backlog of title holders who are awaiting copies of their title deeds.

Answer · Tom Arthur: This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland (RoS). She advises me that, following the impact of the pandemic, RoS has stabilised and started to improve the position this year, in line with the strategy set out in their Corporate Plan . R…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of any (a) grant funding and (b) loans provided by Architecture and Design Scotland for each year since 2007-08.

Answer · Neil Gray: Architecture and Design Scotland works to help deliver Scottish Ministers’ policies and objectives for the built and natural environment by providing advice, resources and advocacy, and through a programme of projects and initiatives. It does not provide gran…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding Architecture and Design Scotland has allocated to the Scotland + Venice project for each year since 2016-17.

Answer · Neil Gray: Since joining the Scotland + Venice project in 2016, Architecture and Design Scotland has supported the commissioning and work of external curatorial teams on behalf of the Scotland + Venice partners, (Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, National Gallerie…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023, on the work of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, as the operator of 11 airports across the Highland and Islands and Dundee, assessed the potential impact of the industrial action by the Public and Commercial Services Union on 1 February 2023 as part of their day to da…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost will be of closing any facilities managed by the National Museums of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023.

Answer · Neil Gray: The cost of closing facilities managed by National Museums of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023 is not currently estimated. This estimation would be carried out by National Museums of Scotlan…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in how many instances local authorities have received planning advice from Architecture and Design Scotland, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) year.

Answer · Neil Gray: Architecture and Design Scotland provides non-chargeable advice and resources to all local authorities. Architecture and Design Scotland:provides advice on projects;connects people and organisations to create thriving places;shares insight to grow capacity ac…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost will be of closing any sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023.

Answer · Neil Gray: The cost of closing sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023 is not currently estimated. This estimation would be carried out by Historic Environment Scotland t…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the efficacy of Architecture and Design Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: Architecture and Design Scotland operates in line with an agreed Framework Document which sets out the basis within which the organisation operates. The Framework Document requires the organisation to produce an Annual Report on its activities and submit acco…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget allocation has been for Architecture and Design Scotland for each year since it was founded.

Answer · Neil Gray: Total budget allocations for Architecture and Design Scotland since it was established in 2005 are provided in the following table: Year Total SG budget allocation (£) 2005-06 727,000 2006-07 776,000 2007-08 852,000 2008-09 952,000 2009-10 997,350…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost will be of closing any facilities managed by the National Galleries of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023.

Answer · Neil Gray: The cost of closing facilities managed by National Galleries of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023 is not currently estimated. This estimation would be carried out by National Galleries of Sco…

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of (a) public bodies and (b) private bodies that Architecture and Design Scotland has provided free (i) resources and (ii) advice to since 2007-08.

Answer · Neil Gray: Architecture and Design Scotland provides non-chargeable advice and resources to a large number of public and private organisations. This service is extensive and has been provided via a wide range of programmes, events and initiatives since the organisation …

26 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023, on the work of VisitScotland.

Answer · Ivan McKee: There was minimal impact, and no disruption to any of VisitScotland's services as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023.