Parliamentary questions

Jamie Greene

1,978 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

5 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current daily passenger capacity is on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route, broken down by (a) foot passengers and (b) vehicles, and what the comparative figures have been in each of the last five years.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Arran is currently served by the MV Isle of Arran from Ardrossan with a passenger capacity of 446 and vehicle deck for 55 cars, and MV Alfred from Troon with passenger capacity of 428 and vehicle deck for 98 cars. A comparison of weekly passenger and car cap…

29 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase the take-up of modern foreign languages in schools.

28 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what measures it will put in place to increase the rate of housebuilding in Scotland.

Answer · Paul McLennan: We are conscious of the ongoing global issues affecting construction which are impacting the pace of housing delivery and remain focused on our target of delivering 110,000 high quality, energy efficient affordable homes by 2032. The £80m over two years annou…

28 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the operation of the short-term lets licensing legislation, in light of reports that, despite a growing black market in short-term lets, no breaches of the legislation have been recorded by the police.

Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government has worked closely with Police Scotland during legislation development and implementation. It is important to remember that we are still within the transitional period of implementation and licensing authorities are processing thousand…

28 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it will support the protection of children against online abuse, in light of the finding of a recent study by Childlight that 7% of men in the UK were likely to have engaged in online behaviour that could be classed as online child sexual abuse.

Answer · Natalie Don: Keeping children and young people safe from online sexual abuse and exploitation is of the utmost importance to the Scottish Government. We welcome the work of Childlight to harness worldwide data to help inform tangible action to protect children. We recogn…

20 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the short-term lets industry, in light of recent reports from industry leaders that at least 1,000 self-catering homes have stopped operating since the introduction of the licensing scheme.

Answer · Paul McLennan: Short-term let accommodation is an important part of the tourism economy, and I am grateful to the many thousands of operators who have applied for a licence which shows their businesses are of high quality and safety for visitors. Our Business Regulatory Im…

20 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently reported comments from trade union representatives that "time is running out" to give Ferguson Marine shipyard a future.

Answer · Kate Forbes: When the Ferguson Marine shipyard was threatened with closure in 2019 the Scottish Government stepped forward and saved the business. Taking the yard into public ownership preserved commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde, rescued more than 300 jobs and ensured …

15 May 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can intervene, in light of concerns following NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's decision to permanently reduce Inverclyde's GP out-of-hours service, reportedly leaving Inverclyde Royal Hospital as the only GP out-of-hours site in the NHS board area not to operate a full seven da…

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to comments by the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service to the Public Audit Committee that the entire prison estate may shortly reach maximum capacity and present significant risk of potential disorder.

Answer · Angela Constance: In my statement to Parliament on 16 May, I set out that there is now a critical risk to the continued safe and effective operation of the prison estate, and that urgent action is needed. If the legal test for use of emergency release is satisfied when secti…

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it remains committed to banning conversion therapy practices in Scotland.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Scottish Government remains committed to banning conversion practices in Scotland. Our public consultation, containing detailed proposals, ran for 12 weeks and closed on 2 April 2024. Responses to that consultation are now being analysed and considered.…

8 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over half of applications to Creative Scotland could be turned down as a result of "standstill funding" from the Scottish Government.

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress towards installing liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities at sites to be serviced by the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: While the MV Glen Sannox and the MV Glen Rosa operate temporarily from Troon, LNG will be bunkered directly from HGV tankers to the vessels. The design of the potential improvement works at Ardrossan Harbour includes provision for an LNG storage facility to s…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps are being taken to increase the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of NHS dentists.

Answer · Neil Gray: The majority of NHS dental services are provided by independent contractors, including corporate entities, who not employed by the NHS but instead make ‘arrangements’ with NHS Boards to provide dental services in their area. As the Scottish Government has no …

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to changing its short-term lets licensing rules, in light of Airbnb's claims that the rules are harming the tourism industry.

Answer · Paul McLennan: We remain committed to fair regulation of short-term let accommodation, which provides assurance to guests on safety and quality such as gas and electrical safety compliance and the suitability of hosts. We have listened to the sector and we have already made…

7 May 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s progress towards its target to increase the number of residential rehabilitation beds in Scotland to 650 by 2026.

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by Sheriff James McDonald that Scotland’s legal system has gone "soft on drug offenders".

Answer · Angela Constance: The criminal law in relation to drugs offending is reserved. Sentencing decisions, including the use of custodial and community-based options, in any case are for the independent court who consider the facts and circumstances of each case before reaching thei…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to expand the provision of the reported new digital chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis service, developed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to other NHS boards.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We recognise the importance of having access to appropriate diagnostic tests for lung conditions and welcome the development of this service in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. As this is a new programme, we will work closely with all key stakeholders to determ…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to secure the improvement of Ardrossan Harbour, in light of recent reported criticism by CalMac of the harbour’s owner, Peel Ports.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: CalMac are right to raise any concerns they have around infrastructure maintenance at the ports which they use to provide services for our island communities. Transport Scotland continue to engage regularly with Peel Ports Group as owner of Ardrossan Harbour …

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made, regarding the potential impact on local communities, of the reported announcement by the NatWest Group that the Royal Bank of Scotland will close 18 of 86 branches across Scotland in September 2024.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government notes the decision from NatWest Group to close 18 Royal Bank of Scotland branches this year which continues a trend seen across the banking sector. Scottish Ministers are fully aware of the negative impact this will have on affected co…

23 Apr 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of how income tax divergence has impacted or may impact private sector recruitment.

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Historic Environment Scotland's blue plaque scheme is reportedly inactive at present, and whether there are any plans to reopen the scheme.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland. I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in…

16 Apr 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve connectivity on the islands of Arran and Cumbrae ahead of the busy summer tourist season.

10 Apr 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the health secretary last met with the chief executives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and what was discussed.