Parliamentary questions
Jamie Greene
1,978 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Highlands and Islands Airports Limited's (HIAL) recommendation that Inverness is the preferred site for an air traffic hub.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We are supportive of HIAL’s planned Remote Towers and Centralised Air Passenger Surveillance air traffic management solution which is essential to ensure that air services in the Highlands and Islands can continue to operate in the future in a safe and effici…
5 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce the number of drug-related deaths, in light of reports that they are at an all-time high.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government is investing an additional £20 million per year, for the lifetime of this Parliament, to help reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs. We will set out detailed actions for reducing the number of drug-related deaths in our alcohol …
5 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a so-called tourist tax being introduced in Edinburgh.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to making local taxation more progressive whilst improving the financial accountability of local government and is always open to further dialogue on options for reform. However, Scottish Ministers have been clear that th…
5 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle animal cruelty.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government takes animal welfare seriously and is continuing to take forward its Programme for Government 2017-18 commitments to provide the highest standards of protection for all animals. To date the Scottish Government has consulted on a moder…
5 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of animal cruelty were reported in each year from 2012 to 2017.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The number of offences recorded by the Police in Scotland that specifically relate to animal cruelty, between 2012-13 and 2016-17 are shown below. The National Statistics for 2017-18 will be published in September this year. The number of offences of animal …
25 Jun 2018 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the result of the UK Parliament's vote on Heathrow expansion and its implications for Scotland.
12 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS Ayrshire and Arran is taking to tackle its gender pay gap.
11 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the regulations regarding the carrying of knives.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The law criminalises the possession of knives in public places where no reasonable excuse or lawful authority exists by the person in possession. There are also similar offences relating to the possession of knives in schools and in prisons. In 2016, the maxi…
11 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-16983 on ?18 June 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…
11 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of people carrying weapons.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Between 2006-07 and 2016-17, the number of police recorded crimes of handling an offensive weapon fell by 68%. But, we want to see further reductions to this unacceptable behaviour and are taking forward further actions. Alongside tough enforcement, our appr…
11 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce fly-tipping.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We have provided SEPA and local authorities with the powers to fine people who are caught flytipping; with a minimum fixed penalty of £200 up to a maximum fine of £40,000 if prosecuted. Further measures which influence behaviour towards litter and flytipping…
11 Jun 2018 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by Crisis, which shows that the number of people living in temporary hostel and B&B accommodation in Scotland has risen.
4 Jun 2018 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure the safety of all frontline police officers.
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the level of unemployment in the West Scotland region has been in each year since 2008.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Table 1 shows the overall level of unemployment for West Scotland in each year from Jan-Dec 2008 to Jan-Dec 2017. Table 1: Unemployment in West Scotland, 2008-2017 Year Unemployment (level) 2008 17,200 2009 23,800 2010 27,500 2011 29,100 2012 33,…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the percentage change in GDP of the West Scotland region has been in each year since 2008.
Answer · Keith Brown: Regional GDP statistics are produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest Regional Gross Value Added (GVA) release is available online at https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/bulletins/regionalgrossvalueaddedbalanceduk/1998to2…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the percentage change in the GDP of the Highlands and Islands has been in each year since 2008.
Answer · Keith Brown: Regional GDP statistics are produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest Regional Gross Value Added (GVA) release is available online at https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/bulletins/regionalgrossvalueaddedbalanceduk/1998to2…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of delays on trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the last 12 months have been due to signalling problems.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In the year from 5th June 2017 to 4th June 2018, 13% of delays were categorised as having arisen from points/track circuit/signals and other signalling equipment failures. I would note that the infrastructure issues affecting ScotRail are properly the respon…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many passenger complaints ScotRail has received in each year since 2008.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not have the specific information asked for because it does not hold details of how many complaints ScotRail have received each year since 2008, which pre-dates the current ScotRail franchise which commenced on 1 April 2015. Howe…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for how many of the trains between Edinburgh in Glasgow that have have been cancelled in 2018 was an alternative public transport method offered.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. However, Schedule 1.2 para. 8.3 of the Franchise Agreement requires ScotRail “to use all reasonable endeavours to secure the provision of alternative transport arrangements and passage on such alternativ…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many trains travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2018 have had delays of (a) less and (b) more than five minutes.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In the period 2nd January - 2nd June 2018 (inclusive), the number of trains which have had delays of less than five minutes and more than five minutes is as follows, with the numbers of trains which ran on time, and the total number of trains run, included fo…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many trains have travelled between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2018.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In the period 2nd January - 2nd June 2018 inclusive, 42,195 trains have run between Edinburgh and Glasgow; either to Glasgow Queen St High Level (that is, via Falkirk High), or to Glasgow Queen St Low Level (via Airdrie) or into Glasgow Central High Level.
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many trains are scheduled to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2018.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The number of trains scheduled by ScotRail to run in the calendar-2018 year is as follows: Route Trains scheduled to run Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High 38,548 Edinburgh-Glasgow via Bathgate 38,849 Edinburgh-Glasgow via Shotts 16,783 Edinburgh-Gla…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what Scotland's CO2 emissions were in 2017.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scotland’s CO 2 emissions for 2017, along with estimates of other greenhouse gas emissions, are expected to be published in June 2019. The latest available estimates can be found in the official statistics publication Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2016, a…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a Scottish islands passport scheme.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government recognises the value of tourism to our many island communities and welcomes initiatives that encourage their sustainable growth. We have noted the proposals for an islands passport put forward by the Highlands and Islands Transport Par…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce antisocial behaviour, in light of reports that there has been an increase in the number reports of it.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Statements regarding changes in the level of antisocial behaviour are best made using measures of the population’s experience and all the evidence points towards a long term and sustained reduction in levels of antisocial behaviour in Scotland. The Scottish C…
31 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle rising energy costs, in light of reports that all of the big six energy providers have now increased prices.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The regulation of energy markets for electricity and gas are matters that remain reserved under the Scotland Act (1998). These are therefore matters for which UK Ministers are responsible. However, Scottish Ministers take great interest in the issue, given o…
1 May 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of missed appointments in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
Answer · Shona Robison: We are supporting all boards including Ayrshire and Arran to implement policies to reduce missed appointments, such as providing reminder services through text, emails and social media. This allows reminder services to be tailored for patients who are most li…
24 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the level of asbestos in public buildings remains at safe levels, in light of reports that a classroom was found to contain asbestos dust.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government take the issue of the handling of asbestos within schools and other public buildings very seriously. The Scottish Government is absolutely clear that local authorities follow Health and Safety Executive recommendations for managing asb…
24 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the NHS's capacity to treat higher numbers of cancer patients, in light of reports that the number of people with cancer in Scotland has risen.
Answer · Shona Robison: Chapter 2 the Scottish Government's £100 million Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' contains analysis of the changing population in Scotland and the future impact on cancer services. The full cancer strategy can be found here: http://www.g…
24 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to further regulate gun possession.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The majority of firearms legislation is reserved to Westminster. Air weapons legislation was devolved in 2012 and in 2015 the Scottish Government introduced a system of air weapon licensing under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. Scotland is …