Parliamentary questions
Jamie Greene
1,978 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its ministers have had with the nightclub sector in (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde regarding the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine certification scheme.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Discussions on vaccine certification are conducted via the night time sector and wider hospitality’s trade representatives at a national level, the most recent of which took place with Ministers on 12 October 2021.
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reasons for the reported reduction in life expectancy for people in (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde between 2016-18 and 2018-2020.
Answer · Maree Todd: The majority of Scotland’s council areas have experienced a stall in life expectancy growth since 2012-2014. Life expectancy has unfortunately decreased across many areas in Scotland. This trend has also been experienced across the UK. National Records of Sc…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many two-year-olds are currently (a) receiving and (b) eligible for 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare in the (i) North Ayrshire and (ii) Inverclyde Council area.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The latest annual ELC Census data published in December 2020 as part of the Schools in Scotland Summary Statistics report showed that 178 and 123 two year olds were accessing a funded ELC place in North Ayrshire and Inverclyde Council respectively in Septem…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many patients in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Ayrshire and Arran have waited longer than the 12-week waiting time standard for an outpatient appointment for orthopaedic treatment in each month since January 2020.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The number of patients who have waited over 12 weeks for Trauma and Orthopaedic surgery in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Ayrshire and Arran are published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) on a quarterly basis. These details are available on PHS’s websit…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what exact date the Victims Taskforce will next meet.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Victims Taskforce will next meet on Wednesday 24 November.
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of hospital appointments that have been missed on the mainland as a result of delays or cancellations on the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry route.
Answer · Graeme Dey: We have made no specific assessment of the number of hospital appointments that have been missed on the mainland as a result of delays or cancellations on the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry route. We recognise the impact that ferry disruption has on island communit…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the number of defibrillators in public places.
Answer · Maree Todd: Scottish Government is a key partner in Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS). The partnership published an updated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) strategy in March 2021, which seeks to increase the percentage of OHCAs which have a defibrillator applied bef…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its ministers have had with short-term lets businesses and sole traders in (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde regarding its proposed short-term lets licensing scheme and planning control area legislation.
Answer · Shona Robison: In developing proposals for the regulation of short-term lets we have engaged extensively with a range of stakeholders across Scotland, including short-term let hosts and operators and organisations representing their interests, through three public consultat…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the potential job losses in (a) Inverclyde and (b) North Ayrshire as a result of its proposed short-term lets licensing scheme and planning control area legislation.
Answer · Shona Robison: Our regulatory proposals will give local authorities powers to strike a balance between the needs and concerns of their local communities, with the wider economic and tourism benefits of short-term lets. We published a draft Business and Regulatory Impact A…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential (a) quality and (b) quantity of private rented housing provision in (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde following the introduction of its proposed rent controls.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Once firmer options for the design of rent controls are developed, including through a full public consultation, we will carefully consider the potential impact on the quality and quantity of private rented housing at a national and sub-national level. We wil…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its ministers have had with private rented sector representatives in the (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde Council area regarding proposals to introduce rent controls.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: We have met with a range of private rented sector representatives, including those representing tenants and landlords, and will continue to do so as we progress work on implementing an effective national system of rent controls, including those representing t…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an updated estimate of the financial cost to the Isle of Arran economy of the delayed MV Glen Sannox ferry.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific study into the impact of the new vessel delay on the Isle of Arran economy. However, we are very aware of the importance of reliable and regular ferry services upon which our island communities depend, i…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address any broadband coverage reliability issues in rural communities in North Ayrshire.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Through the £463 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme we delivered fibre broadband to over 951,500 premises across Scotland with over 841,600 of those now capable of accessing superfast speeds of 30 Megabits per second (Mbps). Of thes…
5 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on the average speed of broadband in homes in rural North Ayrshire.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government does not hold data regarding the average speed of broadband in homes in rural North Ayrshire. However, independent analysis site Thinkbroadband shows that, as at 19 October 2021, the average download speed for properties in North Ayrs…
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Lord President and Lord Justice General recommending to the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland that an extra 15 fee paid sheriffs and 15 fee paid summary sheriffs be appointed.
Answer · Keith Brown: In January 2021 I announced that £50 million would be allocated to support the justice system “Recover, Renew and Transform Programme”, which includes addressing the national requirement for a higher number of both sheriff and summary sheriff roles to manage …
28 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service consultation, Reducing Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals.
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken by the Scottish Prison Service in light of reports of mobile phones that were given to prisoners being hacked and used for criminal activity.
Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: A solution was identified with the provider in relation to illicit SIM cards being used in prison issued mobile phones and it …
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that suspects are using fake COVID-19 alerts to avoid attending court in person, and whether it can confirm whether this is happening.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government take seriously any suggestion that efforts are being made to disrupt court business and to avoid attendance. It is clearly even more alarming if this can be tracked back to initiatives put in place in response to the pandemic. We have …
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported statistics from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service stating that domestic abuse charges are at their highest level since 2015-16.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government advises anyone who has experienced domestic abuse to report crimes committed against them. Domestic abuse is a heinous crime and we remain absolutely committed to working with justice partners to ensure that they have the most effectiv…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential (a) quality and (b) quantity of private rented housing provision following the introduction of proposed rent controls.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: As we further develop options for the design of rent controls, including through a full public consultation, we will carefully consider the potential impact on the quality and quantity of private rented housing. This will include gathering evidence and engagi…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with representatives of the private rented sector regarding proposals to introduce rent controls.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: We have met with a range of private rented sector representatives, including those representing tenants and landlords, and we will continue to do so as we progress work on implementing an effective national system of rent controls. Our aim is to ensure qualit…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported data from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service stating that the average time taken to complete a fatal accident inquiry increased by eight months to 939 days in 2020-21.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: Between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, COPFS concluded 59 FAIs, an increase from 57 the previous year. This increase took place notwithstanding an increase of more than 40% deaths reported to COPFS compared to previous years as well as the restrictions on co…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with short-term lets businesses and sole traders regarding its proposed short-term lets licensing scheme and planning control area legislation, and how many of these individuals and businesses are based outside of the City of Edinburgh Council area.
Answer · Shona Robison: In developing proposals for the regulation of short-term lets we have engaged extensively with a range of stakeholders across Scotland, including short-term let hosts and operators and organisations representing their interests, through three public consultat…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement in its Programme for Government, whether it will provide further details of its planned legislation to "change the way imprisonment is used".
Answer · Keith Brown: As noted in the Programme for Government, we intend to consult shortly on proposed reforms to the law relating to bail and release from custody. Public protection and victims’ safety are at the heart of our proposals for reform, which focus on reduce reoffend…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) availability and (b) reliability of broadband in the west of Scotland.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The £463 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme delivered over 101,300 fibre connections in the West Scotland region with over 96,600 of those capable of delivering speeds of 24 Megabits per second (Mbps) and above. The Reaching 100% (R…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the estimated final cost of the MV Glen Sannox ferry upon completion.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Turnaround Director’s June 2021 update to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee contains a summary of the costs to complete vessels 801 and 802 within appendix 11. The report is available on the Scottish Parliament website at Update on progress an…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported figures stating that Police Scotland lost 6,487 days of work in 2020-21 due to officers being assaulted.
Answer · Keith Brown: The health and safety of Police Officers is a matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Nobody should be the victim of abuse or violence at work and the Chief Constable has made a commitment for 2021-22, that he will co…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timetable for the delivery of the MV Glen Sannox ferry.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Turnaround Director of Ferguson Marine, updated the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the delivery timetable for vessels 801 and 802 on 30 September 2021. The delivery date for MV Glen Sannox remains the same as was reported in the Turnaround Di…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the potential job losses in (a) Scotland and (b) the West Scotland region as a result of its proposed short-term lets licensing scheme and planning control area legislation.
Answer · Shona Robison: Our regulatory proposals will give local authorities powers to strike a balance between the needs and concerns of their local communities, with the wider economic and tourism benefits of short-term lets. We published a draft Business and Regulatory Impact A…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported comments from the Scottish Police Federation that victims of crime were considered of lesser importance than the perpetrators of crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our criminal justice system, and others throughout the world, in ways never seen before. Our priority was, and remains, to ensure that our system can operate as effectively as possible for everyone involved in it: victims, w…