Parliamentary questions
Jamie Greene
1,978 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further steps it will take to provide relief to businesses in North Ayrshire, which will be impacted by the increase in business rates.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has introduced a package of measures for 2017-18 which will benefit businesses in North Ayrshire, including a 3.7% reduction in the poundage rate; an increase in the rateable value threshold that the large business supplement becomes p…
16 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the study commissioned of the Arran ferry service.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The report by Peter Brett Associates was published on the Transport Scotland website on 20 March 2017. The port operators and Councils have been invited to make comments on the report by 3 April 2017. The final decision on the future of the service will be m…
16 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for improving e-governance capabilities.
16 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to release the 2017 update to Scotland's Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland, which was published in 2011.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The refreshed digital strategy, “Realising Scotland’s Full Potential in A Digital World” was published on 22 March 2017. This paints a picture of our country as a vibrant, inclusive and outward looking nation with a successful digital economy, comprehensive a…
15 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-06777 and S5W-07788 by John Swinney on 17 February and 15 March 2017 respectively, what progress it is making in drafting its written response to the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign, and on what date in spring 2017 it will publish this…
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to working with key stakeholders to fully consider the important issues raised by the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign. A new stakeholder working group is being formed to bring together key interests to consider…
15 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to empower LGBTI people.
Answer · Angela Constance: Through the Equality Budget, the Scottish Government is investing over £850,000 in 2016-17 in LGBT organisations across Scotland. In particular, the work of the national LGBT organisations supports the grassroots LGBTI movement and builds the capacity of comm…
15 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of Scotland's exports to each member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Answer · Keith Brown: The value of Scotland's exports to each member of the European Free Trade Association for 2015, drawn from Export Statistics Scotland are as follows: Switzerland - £785 million Norway - £1315 million Iceland - Less than £50 million Liechtenstein - No dat…
9 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Government what plans are in place to meet the public transport needs of people in the Paisley and the Gryffe Valley area travelling to Glasgow Airport.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has committed to invest £500m into the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region Deal. As part of this Deal, detailed options to improve surface access to Glasgow Airport are being progressed by Glasgow City and Renfrewshire Councils. The opti…
9 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to upgrade the transport infrastructure in Paisley.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is a full partner in the Glasgow City Region Deal, now in its delivery stage, and is contributing £500 million over 20 years to the Infrastructure Investment Fund. The Deal empowers Glasgow and its City Region partners, including Ren…
8 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent Samaritans' report, which recorded a disparity in suicide rates across local authorities.
7 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the link between obesity and cancer, in light of research by Cancer Research UK that highlights that obesity significantly increases the risk of developing cancer.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is committed to consulting widely on the development of our new Diet and Obesity Strategy which will be brought forward in the course of 2017. In developing that strategy we will examine with our stakeholders what further effective act…
7 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on research by Marie Curie that suggests that one-in-four people do not receive the required palliative care that they need, and what action it is taking to ensure that there is frequent reporting of any progress that is being made regarding the Strategic Framework o…
Answer · Shona Robison: The Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (SFA) was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including Marie Curie, and outlines the key actions to be taken that will help ensure that everyone in Scotland can access servic…
7 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) improve opportunities and (b) promote inclusive participation for disabled people in politics.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Because we are determined to increase representation of disabled people in our democratic institutions, the Scottish Government established the Access to Elected Office Fund (Scotland) to help disabled people put themselves forward as candidates by helping to…
7 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support (a) the John Muir Award and (b) other initiatives to encourage engagement with wildlife and nature.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is providing £17,000 in 2016-17 from the Children, Young People & Families Early Intervention Fund to support John Muir Awards. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is also providing £96,000 for delivery of John Muir Awards. The number of a…
7 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve quality of life for people experiencing hearing loss, including younger people who may experience stigma associated with this.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the services, support and care available to people who are deaf. Our long-term strategy, ‘See Hear’, commits to ensuring that children, young people and adults enjoy the same access to opportunities and public…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by BBC Scotland on 2 March 2017 suggesting that NHS Ayrshire and Arran spends an average of £3.20 on food and drink per patient each day.
Answer · Shona Robison: The main focus for Scottish Government is that patients have a right to expect high-quality and nutritious food that meets their specific needs and aids recovery. NHS Ayrshire and Arran provides patients with high quality and nutritionally balanced meals, ba…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over half of MSPs have signed the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign’s pledge to encourage it to introduce inclusive education.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06777 on 17 February 2017. 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/parliamentarybusines…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of incidents of lasers being shone at aircraft.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06951 on 22 February 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2887…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the space (a) tourism sector and (b) research industries.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is very proud, and very supportive of both the growing space sector, and our vitally important tourism sector. Innovation in tourism is key to ensuring that this important sector of the economy remains relevant and competitive. The d…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the proposed digitisation of some processes by the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service will be accessible for (a) older people, (b) disabled people and (c) people with limited online access.
Answer · Michael Matheson: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it uses the so-called big data that it holds on people to help improve the provision of public services.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government’s vision is to use data systematically to improve decision making: saving lives, money and time. In doing so, we will enhance Scotland’s reputation for the safe, secure and transparent use of data for public benefit; rapidly translatin…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action that it is taking to tackle domestic violence.
Answer · Angela Constance: Domestic violence is completely unacceptable and the Scottish Government believes that a zero tolerance approach to it is the right approach for Scotland to take and is investing significant levels of funding as well as bringing forward new legislation to tac…
6 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to online skills training services, and how it helps promote their availability.
Answer · John Swinney: Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s national skills body, provides online advice available to individuals and employers via the My World Of Work careers web service, the OurSkillsforce employer web service and apprenticeships.scot My World of Work offers…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that hospitals in NHS Ayrshire and Arran cancelled 323 operations in 2016 because they did not have sufficient resources.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government are investing £128 million in 2017-18 in Territorial Boards in supporting delivery of service reform. NHS Ayrshire & Arran will benefit from this investment, which clearly demonstrates our commitment to protecting frontline services an…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the President of the Centre for Economics and Business Research that an independent Scotland would face “Greek-style austerity".
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government does not accept the claims made by the President of the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The key risk to Scotland’s economy and the public finances stems from a hard Brexit which could reduce Scotland’s GDP by £8 bill…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of reports of an increase in the number of young people being admitted to hospitals in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran area because of alcohol-related conditions.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Data held by Information Services Scotland, for 2012-13 to 2015-16, demonstrates a decrease in the number of young people under 26 years of age admitted to a general acute hospital in NHS Ayrshire and Arran for an alcohol related condition. The Scottish Gove…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution on 21 February 2017 (Official Report, c. 18), what its plans are for dealing with future business rates increases in light of the 12.5% cap being for one year only.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The measures to introduce a 12.5% cap on business rate increases for hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes and Aberdeen / Aberdeenshire offices will apply for 2017-18 and we will consider if any future support is required in due course.
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to tackle (a) online identify fraud and (b) other cyber-crime; what guidance it issues to businesses regarding protecting themselves, and what information it has on how much has been lost by (i) people and (ii) businesses.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The growth of the internet has transformed the way we do business, socialise and provide key services. It also offers significant opportunities for those with criminal intent. With 80% of cybercrime preventable by getting the basics right however, it is essen…
23 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that ScotRail paid around £2,000 in compensation payments each day from April to December 2016.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government specified that the new franchise (from April 2015) operate a delay/repay scheme to compensate passengers appropriately when there are significant delays or cancellations. In the financial year to date, the total amount of delay-repay …
16 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision on the future mainland port for the Arran Ferry route.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: We expect the STAG report from our consultants by the end of February and hope to be able to make a decision on the mainland port as soon as possible thereafter.