Parliamentary questions
Oliver Mundell
1,091 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is any flexibility for community organisations that have missed a revised application deadline for COVID-19 support grants in situations where they relied on a previously stated closing date.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The closure of the coronavirus business support fund which offered grants to businesses to help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery was announced by Scottish Ministers on 8 June 2020. This reflected that applications to the fu…
17 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the backlog in elective surgery in Dumfries and Galloway as a result of COVID-19.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic NHS Dumfries and Galloway have managed to maintain the safe continuation of surgery for urgent, emergencies and cancer patients. Every effort is being made to restart elective surgery in a safe manner for patients and staff a…
17 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many elective surgeries were outstanding in Dumfries and Galloway prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and what the average waiting time was.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: As at 31 March 2020, there were 2,338 patients waiting for elective surgeries under the Treatment Time Guarantee in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. Of the patients treated with completed waits in quarter ending 31 March 2020, half were seen in 71 days or less. I…
14 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31126 by Kevin Stewart on 14 August 2020, what additional support will be provided to (a) older and (b) vulnerable people to help them install interlinked fire alarms in all homes, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Local authorities can assist home owners who need help to ensure that their home is safe. Local Care and Repair services, which are available in most parts of Scotland, offer older and disabled people practical help and advice, including installation of fire …
11 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has disengaged from discussions with the UK Government regarding the forthcoming internal market legislation.
11 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture has to meet representatives of the Lowland Common Ridings and the Riding of the Marches to discuss what additional support can be given to these events.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As I have explained in correspondence with the Member, I support the campaign to give the Lowland Common Ridings and the Riding of the Marches culturally significant status. Such a designation can be bestowed by UNESCO under the convention for the safeguardin…
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it will provide for (a) gyms and (b) other businesses that continue to be closed by the COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: For privately owned businesses, since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak the Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government and private and public sector partners to develop a range of support mechanisms for businesses. Information on all avail…
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to publicise the legal requirement to install interlinked fire alarms in all homes by February 2021.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: An announcement was made on 28 March 2018 of our intention to strengthen the current standards we have in place for fire alarms. This announcement was widely reported in press, television and social media as well as housing and electrical related publications…
3 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to bring forward investment in HMP Dumfries, in light of the recommendations in the recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: In the last three years, the SPS has carried out various projects at HMP Dumfries amounting to circa £1.685m ex. VAT and plans…
30 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when (a) HGV and (b) other vocational driving tests will resume.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The First Minister announced on 20 August that driving lessons could resume from 24 August. The Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for the administration of driving tests. They are planning on a resumption of vocational driving tests f…
29 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason indoor equestrian events are not permitted to take place, and what plans it has to review this.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: All sports and activities pose different challenges, which can impact on the timing of resumption of certain disciplines. As it stands the indicative date for the reopening of indoor sport and leisure facilities including indoor equestrian centres is Monday …
29 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when gyms will be allowed to reopen, and what specific scientific advice it has taken regarding their continued closure.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: We would like to see facilities like gyms, reopen as soon as possible. As it stands the indicative date for the reopening of indoor sport and leisure facilities including gyms is Monday 14 September with physical distancing and enhanced hygiene measures in pl…
27 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to relaxing the rates rules for empty properties in light of COVID-19 where the owner is actively seeking a tenant.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: Scottish Ministers considered a number of options to support businesses through the crisis, and took the decision to prioritise support on small and medium sized businesses and businesses in specific sectors, through grants and reliefs. This was to ensure a m…
27 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further support it has considered for the wedding industry in (a) Gretna and Gretna Green and (b) Scotland.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of marriage and civil partnership to couples and to society more widely. Whilst our priority is public health, we know that the sector has been hit hard and we do not underestimate the crisis created by the pa…
27 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Dumfries and Galloway regarding the future of community hospitals.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has had no formal discussions with Dumfries & Galloway regarding the future of community hospitals. However, officials have been made aware that four cottage hospitals are temporarily closed to provide additional capacity to care for C…
27 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Dumfries and Galloway regarding the reopening of Acorn House.
Answer · Maree Todd: Officials wrote to NHS Dumfries and Galloway on 7 July 2020 requesting information about plans to reopen Acorn House after its temporary closure due to Covid-19, and what alternative support would be available in the area if the facility was to close permanen…
27 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers have been fined for removing hedgerows, and how such penalties are calculated.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Twenty five farmers have had penalties applied to their support scheme payments for removing hedgerows. The level of penalties are calculated in line with the Cross Compliance related regulations which form part of the Common Agricultural Policy.
27 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-30120 by Aileen Campbell on 17 July 2020, what consideration was given to including church halls in the scheme, and whether the potential for discrimination was reviewed as part of any decision.
Answer · Kate Forbes: In addition to the £350m Communities Fund, including the Third Sector Resilience Fund, the Scottish Government has provided over £2.3 billion of support to businesses through grants and reliefs. The Small Business Support Grant was available for church halls …
20 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons tattoo studios have not been allowed to reopen at present, and when they will be allowed to do so.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: As part of phase 3 of Scotland’s route map, tattoo studios have been able to reopen from 22 July. Sectoral guidance was updated on 17 July and is available on the Scottish Government website.
20 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons auction houses cannot open at present, and when they will be allowed to do so.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: As part of phase 3 of Scotland’s route map, auction houses have been able to reopen from 22 July. Sectoral guidance was updated on 17 July and is available on the Scottish Government website.
20 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidance on the reopening of adult day services.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I and the Minister for Children and Young People wrote to Health and Social Care Partnerships, Chief Social Work Officers providers and others on 3 August 2020 advising that this comprehensive guidance on adult day centre services will issue as soon as possib…
20 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons acupuncture cannot take place at present, and when such services can restart.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Following a clinical assessment, personal retail services, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine services (CAMs) and massage therapy, were advised that they could resume services as of 22 July 2020, where the service is carried out in a therapist’s…
9 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the report, First Do No Harm: The report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, led by Baroness Cumberlege.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has welcomed the report and is giving careful consideration to the recommendations within it. For some time we have argued for reform of the assessment of medical device safety, so we completely agree that this area of reserved compete…
9 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether funding will remain in place for childcare providers that are already providing 1,140 hours of childcare.
Answer · Maree Todd: Local authorities continue to be funded in full to deliver the 1140 hours early learning and childcare expansion programme. As co-chairs of the ELC Joint Delivery Board, Councillor Stephen McCabe and I wrote jointly to all local authorities on 8 July 2020 as…
8 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific advice it has published regarding car sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government’s guidance on how to travel safely during COVID-19 was updated as the country entered Phase 3 of the routemap to include advice on car sharing and confirms:- “ You should only travel with members of your own, or extended, household. W…
8 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason wholesale businesses that supply the retail and hospitality sector are not included in the £25,000 retail, hospitality and leisure business support grant.
Answer · Kate Forbes: In designing the grant system Scottish Ministers had to balance helping as many businesses as possible against affordability. The decision to prioritise support on small and medium sized businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors…
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no WiFi service at Lockerbie rail station.
Answer · Michael Matheson: This is an operational matter for Abellio ScotRail.
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a planned date for beauty salons re-opening and treatments resuming in clients' homes, and, if so, when.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Following an announcement by the First Minister on 9 July, beauty salons are permitted to reopen from 22 July. The Scottish Government has published guidance for close contact services based on a risk assessment process which business owners should use to id…
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its decision not to allow communal worship as a result of COVID-19 was based on specific scientific advice.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Our guidance on safe use of places of worship reflects evolving scientific and health advice and has been developed in close collaboration with our faith communities. On the 9 July, the First Minister announced that the reopening of places of worship would be…
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the letter from the Upper Nithsdale Community Trust to the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands regarding the Section 36 application for the construction and operation of a wind farm at Sandy Knowe, near Kirkconnel.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Decision Letter for Sandy Knowe Wind Farm was issued on 7 July 2020 which granted section 36 consent and deemed planning permission for the development, following consideration by Scottish Ministers. The material matters raised in the letter from the Uppe…