Parliamentary questions
Oliver Mundell
1,091 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Apr 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide the necessary guidance to Dumfries and Galloway Council to allow grant payments to be made to eligible self-catering businesses under the COVID-19 support scheme.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government provided guidance to local authorities regarding the grant funding schemes on 30 March 2020. This guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-government-finance-circular-5-2020-covid-19-grant-funding-schemes/
31 Mar 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Dumfries and Galloway Council is withholding payments to some private, voluntary and independent nursery providers for funded places.
Answer · Maree Todd: I issued a joint letter with the COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People on 24 March to confirm that where private or third sector providers (including childminders) are closed or children are unable to attend due to the pandemic, local authorities s…
17 Mar 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the future-proofing of the Whitesands Flood Protection scheme to take account of predicted climate change across the anticipated lifespan of the project, and whether there are any legal implications in progressing with a scheme that is not based on the most recent…
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Statutory guidance on Sustainable Flood Risk Management ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-support-sepa-responsible-authorities/ ) requires that flood management actions being undertaken should stand the test of time and be adaptable to future cha…
17 Mar 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the advice that it is issuing to help control the spread of COVID-19, what action it is considering in relation to the planning system for large-scale projects, such as wind farm developments, where public consultation might be curtailed.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is urgently considering the need for legislation and guidance in relation to the continued operation of the planning system during the COVID 19 emergency. As part of this we are proposing legislation to temporarily suspend the statutor…
10 Feb 2020 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve road safety around schools in rural areas.
28 Jan 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting time is for cataract removal surgery in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway area.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The ISD Waiting Times Team does not publish procedure level data. All data is currently published at specialty level only.
22 Jan 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how a member of the public can contact the Inspector of Funeral Directors.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Should a member of the public wish to contact the Inspector of Funeral Directors they can do so by sending their query to: [email protected] The former Inspector of Funeral Directors’ appointment ended on 30 June 2019 and Ministers are fin…
10 Dec 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what STEM training it plans to put in place for early years practitioners.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are currently developing an online programme of Continuous Professional Learning that will be widely accessible and freely available to early learning and childcare practitioners across all sectors, including local authorities and private, voluntary, and i…
10 Dec 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre, and what was discussed.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I last met with the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) when I visited the centre on 25 September 2019 to meet with its Chief Executive and members of the Senior Management Team. The visit focused on SSERC’s delivery of “face-to-face” and digit…
4 Dec 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26276 by Fergus Ewing on 25 November 2019, whether the UK Forestry Standard guidance restricts all proposals for planting on peat over 50cm in depth, including re-planting on peatland that had been previously planted, or whether it applies to propos…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) guideline referred to in the previous answer states ‘avoid establishing new forests on soils with peat exceeding 50 cm in depth and on sites that would compromise the hydrology of adjacent bog or wetland habitats’. There is an…
22 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26081 by Fergus Ewing on 12 November 2019, how it ensures that the guidance is followed at a local level.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Tree planting applications made to Scottish Forestry must include an ‘issues log’ to explain how the planting design takes into account factors such as the impact on communities and agricultural land. All proposals are carefully assessed by Scottish Forestry …
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the provision of Wi-Fi in schools.
Answer · John Swinney: Improving access to technology, which includes connectivity, is a key objective in the national Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy. However, it is for local authorities themselves to decide on connectivity arrangements in their schools, whether that be wi…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps a community can take if it has concerns about proposed commercial forestry in its area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: All significant tree planting proposals must follow the Woodland Creation Application Guidance which requires applicants to engage with local communities and use the information gathered to inform the planting design. Local communities are encouraged to disc…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to support a 3G football pitch in Gretna.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government understands that the Raydale Community Sports Hub have submitted an application to the sport scotland Sport Facilities Fund for the installation of a 3G Pitch at Raydale Stadium and that the application is due to be discussed by the ad…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of parental, teacher and pupil concerns relating to poor Wi-Fi connectivity at Lochmaben and Canonbie primary schools.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has not previously been made aware of concerns relating to these specific schools. Dumfries and Galloway Council has confirmed that they are aware of the issue and have put in place a temporary measure to support connectivity.
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of community concerns regarding new commercial forestry planting at Cormilligan Farm near Tynron and its impact on local roads, and what action it is taking in this regard.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is aware of the community concerns regarding forestry planting at Cormilligan farm and the impact on local roads. During the development of the planting proposal the potential impact on local roads resulting from future timber harvest…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that Canonbie Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway has been left without central heating following boiler failure, and what action is being taking in this regard.
Answer · John Swinney: This is a matter for Dumfries and Galloway Council. I am aware that temporary heaters were relocated to Canonbie Primary School due to an issue with the school's boiler. Dumfries and Galloway Council has stated that the boiler is working again. The Council h…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of community concerns about proposed new commercial forestry at (a) Bogrie, (b) Kirkpatrick Fleming and (c) Canonbie and its impact on local residents and the use of good quality agricultural land, and what action it is taking in this regard.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Forestry is not aware of reports of community concerns, but is aware that land in these areas has recently been sold and understands that some areas of new forestry planting are being considered. Scottish Forestry has not so far been contacted about …
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a decision is expected on the Whitesands Flood Protection Inquiry.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to the question S5W-25873 on 29 October 2019. 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/parliamentarybus…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that approved noise levels for windfarms should be reviewed.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: While there are no current plans in place to review the noise assessment methodology for wind turbine developments, the Scottish Government will take time to consider the conditional recommendations set out in the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on the…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of available capacity to treat patients from Dumfries and Galloway requiring radiotherapy in Carlisle.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: A very small number of NHS Dumfries and Galloway (NHS D&G) patients choose to access radiotherapy in Carlisle and while NHS D&G support patients in that choice. However, the range of treatments available is more limited that at one of the cancer centres and i…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is given to existing habitats and wildlife before granting permission for new large-scale commercial forestry planting.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Landowners seeking permission for forestry planting must conduct surveys to identify any habitats or species that are present on site and take them into account as they design planting schemes. Projects must ensure that important habitats and species are prot…
7 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what legislation and guidance is in place regarding the planting of trees on peatlands.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Protection for peatlands is included under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) (Forestry) 2017 regulations, where peat soils over 50cm are classed as sensitive areas and all proposals for planting require assessment. The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS…
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports commercial forestry planting on high-quality farmland.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government published guidance in 2013 covering woodland creation on agricultural land, which recommends that larger scale tree planting should not generally be on prime or non-prime agricultural land (i.e. grades 1 – 4.2).
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of commercial forestry on agricultural land values.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Agricultural land values are influenced by many factors including supply and demand, expected levels of EU funding, as well as how productive and accessible the land is. The agricultural land market is regularly covered by private sector rural commentators an…
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure adequate and independent assessment is being undertaken of proposed new commercial forest planting.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A new application process for assessing all forestry planting projects was introduced in April 2018. This is administered by Scottish Forestry, an agency of the Scottish Government. All applications are assessed by technical forestry experts in Scottish Fore…
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to new entrants into farming who are competing to purchase land with commercial forestry.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government’s New Entrants to Farming Programme includes numerous activities to aid potential and aspiring new entrants to the agricultural industry. These activities ensure people have access to the skills and knowledge to act upon any opportunit…
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to dual the A75.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and the South West Scotland Transport Study is being progressed. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to all modes of transport on key strategic corridors, including that served b…
8 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specialist treatment is available for people with intestinal failure.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Most patients in Scotland with intestinal failure are cared for by local and regional services, led by gastroenterologists and biochemists. A small number of patients (around six to seven per year) who require very specialist treatment beyond local/regional s…
8 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment Transport Scotland is making of roadside stability along the A7, in light of the recent landslide south of Skippers Bridge.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Our Operating Company, Amey, is actively monitoring two sites on the A7 Trunk Road, one of which is the site of the recent landslip close to Skippers Bridge. A geotechnical inspection of slopes adjacent to the A7 is undertaken annually to monitor stability an…