Jamie Greene

4 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal by ScotRail to remove assigned seating from InterCity rail services and move to "counted places" on such services, and whether it considers that this will make the travelling experience for passengers better or worse.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Assigned seating on InterCity services is an operational matter for which ScotRail is responsible. The Scottish Government has made clear to ScotRail that its decision to temporarily abandon seat reservations on these InterCity services is not satisfactory. …

4 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the implications and consequences of public ownership of the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow in relation to EU state aid rules on its ability to participate in tenders for external non-governmental commercial works, compete as part of consorti…

Answer · Derek Mackay: Our priority has been to stabilise the yard and bring it out of administration. Work has begun to explore options for a sustainable future for the yard, including a consideration of options for future work in both the public and private sectors.

4 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Ferguson Marine now being under full public ownership, whether it will provide an update on the current (a) list of clients or customers under contract with the yard and (b) order book of contracts, both potential or confirmed that it holds, and whether it will publish a ful…

Answer · Derek Mackay: Contracts for vessels 801 and 802 have been novated across to Ferguson Marine (801-802) Limited. The contracts for vessels 804, 805 and the HyDIME project are at an advanced stage of completion. The contract for vessels 803 and the Hyseas III project currentl…

4 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the (a) revised timetable for the delivery and (b) total estimated cost of completion of the two CMAL ordered vessels being built by Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow and the reason for the delay to completion, and for what reason the information has not …

Answer · Derek Mackay: I have set up a Programme Review Board to report on the revised schedule and costs for the delivery of vessels 801 and 802 under construction at Ferguson Marine shipyard. Given the importance and complexity of this matter, the Board had been given additional …

4 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to the wording, premise and terms of the Memorandum of Understanding it signed jointly with London Heathrow Airport in October 2016, and whether it remains its position that "Heathrow’s plan offers significant job creation, major investment opportunities and,…

Answer · Michael Matheson: Yes, the Memorandum of Understanding with Heathrow Airport will potentially bring significant job creation and investment opportunities to Scotland. This includes a commitment from the airport to the procurement of a minimum of £200 million construction-rela…

2 Dec 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to Macmillan Cancer Support’s study, which suggests that there has been a 15% increase in cancer diagnoses since 2015.

27 Nov 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to alleviate underage drinking.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government has taken action to make it harder for under-age drinkers to gain access to alcohol. We have made it mandatory for premises to operate an age verification policy such as Challenge 25; we have made it an offence to supply alcohol to som…

25 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been received for support from the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund in North Ayrshire, and what the status is of each.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government does not receive applications for Vacant & Derelict Land Fund support. The Vacant & Derelict Land Fund, an element of the local government settlement, is allocated to five eligible local authorities in Scotland (including North Ayrshir…

25 Nov 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to address the reported £3 billion backlog in road maintenance repairs.

18 Nov 2019 · Topical Question

To ask Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS staff shortages are putting cancer survival rates at risk.

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the variation in petrol costs in each year since 2009, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government does not hold information regarding the variation in petrol costs over time.

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes car ride-sharing.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland grant funds CoMoUK in Scotland to increase awareness of the role and benefits of shared transport. They promote car clubs, bike sharing and ride sharing, specifically. Local Authorities and public, third and community sector organisations …

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the average distance travelled by people using public transport in each year since 2009, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A copy of the requested information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 61189).

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people in each year since 2009 have (a) held a driving licence and (b) (i) owned and (ii) driven a private car, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A copy of the requested information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 61189).

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people have used public transport in each year since 2009, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A copy of the requested information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 61189).

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the three most used forms of transport in each year since 2009, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A copy of the requested information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 61189)

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many private car owners have participated in a ride-share scheme in each year since 2009, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A copy of the requested information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 61189).

6 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding CO2 emission levels from (a) private cars, (b) public transport and (c) other forms of transport, including the average daily emission, in each year since 2009, also broken down by parliamentary region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Carbon Account for Transport provides a detailed analysis of annual transport emissions data for Scotland, including emissions by vehicle type. The latest edition of the Carbon Account, covering the period from 1990-2017, is available on the Transport Sco…

6 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to NFU Scotland’s submission to Transport Scotland’s consultation on Scotland's National Transport Strategy.

30 Sep 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on the £135 million in loans and investments that the Scottish Government has recently written off.

17 Sep 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the new CBI Scotland and KPMG Scottish Productivity Index, which reportedly shows productivity as starting "a lap behind" competitors.

17 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much the NHS has spent on external auditors in each year since 2016.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The following table sets out spending on external auditors by 22 NHS Boards for statutory services since 2016. External audit appointments for NHS Boards, and confirmation of associated fee levels, are made by the Auditor General for Scotland.  Audit fees (…

17 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals have the same ventilation standards as the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, also broken down by the pressure criteria for each.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The guidance on ventilation standards applies to all hospitals in Scotland and is available at: http://www.hfs.scot.nhs.uk/publications-/guidance-publications .

28 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been allocated in each year since 2014 to service the (a) A78 and (b) the A8.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following table provides spend figures by financial year for Trunk Road Operating Company expenditure, including structural maintenance, minor improvements, routine maintenance, strategic road safety, bridges and structures and winter service. Route 201…

27 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to allocate funding to support the implementation of LGBTI inclusive education.

Answer · John Swinney: The LGBT inclusive education recommendations are being implemented through the use of innovative partnership approaches, which draw on the expertise of the members of the LGBT Inclusive Education Implementation Group to deliver improved learning environments …

27 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the snagging works on the Queensferry Crossing that have been identified since its opening, broken down by the date that each (a) was identified and (b) (i) resolved or (ii) is scheduled to be resolved.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government provides periodic updates on the progress of completion of the snagging works on the Queensferry Crossing to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, copies of which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusin…

22 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Gourock linkspan will be repaired and back in full operation.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The linkspan was repaired and returned to CalMac on afternoon of Thursday 22 August 2019 normal operations when resumed on the Gourock Dunoon Ferry Service.

22 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of mechanical issues with the Gourock linkspan, what alternative arrangements are in place for travel between Gourock and Dunoon for people with reduced mobility, and what the cost of these arrangements are.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: During the recent technical issue with Gourock linkspan, local taxis were used by CalMac Ferries Ltd to transport passengers with reduced mobility to their destination port using the nearby Western Ferries service. The cost of this arrangement amounted to £40…

22 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the installation cost of the Gourock passenger steps was, and for what reason they are reportedly not DDA compliant in respect of full access for people with reduced mobility travelling between Gourock and Dunoon.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Gourock passenger steps were installed in 2015 at a cost of £2,300,000. They were built as a "like for like" replacement of the Old Kilcreggan Steps. Due to their condition, repairs to the Old Kilcreggan Steps was not possible. The steps were designed to…

20 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-24346 by Michael Matheson on 20 August 2019, how many ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEV) the Low Carbon Transport Loan Fund has supported, and how much of the loan fund remains.

Answer · Michael Matheson: According to our most recent statistics dated 27 August, the Low Carbon Transport Loan has paid out £10.8 million since the start of the 2019-20 financial year, which has allowed consumers, businesses and taxi drivers to purchase 340 vehicles this year. We h…