Parliamentary questions
Oliver Mundell
1,091 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers identified errors in their 2016 single application form.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: People completing their SAF will make changes to the turnaround information presented in their SAF for a number of reasons: because their circumstances have changed during the year, or their eligibility, or because they have decided to claim in a different wa…
13 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the baby box scheme will be rolled out in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Mark McDonald: Baby Boxes will be rolled out nationally and therefore, will be available to families with children born in every local authority area, from Summer 2017.
27 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Post Implementation Review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and whether it plans to legislate to protect the welfare of racing greyhounds in Scotland.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has fully considered the Post Implementation Review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds. We consider that the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 are sufficient to ensure that action can be taken if the welf…
15 Feb 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding engagement with local communities on proposed regeneration plans for the Whitesands in Dumfries.
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that people with dyslexia receive support through the Modern Apprenticeship framework.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The following activities are open to support young people with dyslexia: Tailored employability routes, including pre-employment training, to prepare young people with learning difficulties for MA opportunities; Enhanced funding contributions for all MA fra…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hazard and warning signs are on display on the section of the A7 in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Traffic warning signs are a common road safety feature commonly used on roads throughout Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. They are used to warn drivers of a hazard ahead, which may not be readily apparent to a driver. There are currently 511 warn…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding Dumfries and Galloway has received from the People and Communities Fund.
Answer · Angela Constance: Three projects in Dumfries and Galloway have received support from the People and Communities Fund, totalling £132,233. The projects are listed below along with a brief description. To note that the Irvine Housing Association Springboard project covered more …
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to enhance provision of specialist services for adults with brain injuries.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is the role of Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the assessed needs of their local populations. Within this context, the provision of specialist services for adults w…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many days in each of the last three years have temporary traffic lights been in operation on the A76.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available.
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of ambulance provision in Kirkconnel.
Answer · Shona Robison: On receipt of the letter dated 10 January 2017 from Mr Mundell, officials approached the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) to ask for specific details about staffing and ambulance provision in Kirkconnel and the Dumfries & Galloway (D&G) region. SAS confirmed…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support hill farmers.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Hill farming is an important part of our rural landscape and I value very highly the contribution that our Scotland's farmers and crofters make in these remote and challenging areas. I am also very aware of the fragile state of hill farming economics which is…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure access to LGBTI+ support services in (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) rural areas.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has maintained its Equality Budget at £20.3 million for eight consecutive years. The Equality Budget is an important resource in advancing equality as it provides support for activity and interventions to improve the outcomes for peopl…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many days the A7 has been the subject of road closures in the last 12 months.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: There have been 13 overnight closures, 2 daytime weekend closures, 1 evening closure and 1 continuous closure on the A7 Trunk Road during the last 12 months due to roadworks carried out by our Operating Company. In addition the road may also have been close…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of water charges on small community halls and buildings.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government recognises that small community halls and buildings are essential to the vibrancy of Scotland’s small communities. Where these community halls are registered as charities with the Office for the Scottish Charity Regulator, have incomes…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions the proposed Wild Fisheries Bill will make for haff-netters.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our famous and valuable wild fisheries, to modernise our fishery management structures and to establish a more secure and sustainable future for this vital sector. In this Parliamentary term we intend to take…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of the term "dyslexic tendencies" in the diagnosis of dyslexia in schools.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government, Dyslexia Scotland and the Cross Party Group on dyslexia in the Scottish Parliament have developed a working definition of dyslexia, which is available through the online ‘Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit’ at http://www.addressingdyslexia.o…
2 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has given to support economic regeneration in Langholm.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government's substantial investment in infrastructure, regeneration and business support across Dumfries and Galloway helps to deliver inclusive economic growth in towns such as Langholm. The infrastructure investment made across Dumfries and G…
24 Jan 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support rural halls and community spaces.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: This Government understands the importance of strong resilient communities and community spaces. We are helping rural communities make the most of these local assets including support from the Community Land Fund, the People and Communities Fund and LEADER.
22 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made for air weapon certificates under the new licencing scheme, and what assessment it has made of the level.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As at 31 December 2016, Police Scotland had received a total of 12,384 applications for an air weapon certificate. This is broadly consistent with the estimates for the first 5 year licensing round, set out in the Financial Memorandum which accompanied the Ai…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot disease since 2013.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) through the Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group (SDFAG) aims to improve the awareness of foot care to reduce the number of people developing avoidable ulcers and prevent the risk of limb amputation. Our SDFAG is leading o…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the ENABLE Scotland report, #IncludED in the Main?!.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government will consider the recommendations of the Enable Scotland Report #Included In the Main?! in conjunction with the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning and other key stakeholders. The Scottish Government is in the process …
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent consideration it has given to dualling the A75.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to questions S5W-00209 on 7 June 2016 and S5W-02818 on 22 September 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parli…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the use of locum consultants in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Shona Robison: Under the Scottish Government the number of Medical and Dental Consultants in NHS Dumfries and Galloway has increased by 18.5% from 89.0 to 105.5 WTE. NHS Dumfries and Galloway are being supported in their efforts to market the NHS Board as an employer of ch…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many additional miles of road it has built in Dumfries and Galloway in each year since 2007.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has invested over £65 million in major trunk road improvements in Dumfries & Galloway since 2007, of which 10.6 miles are newly constructed road and 2.0 miles have been significantly improved or widened. A breakdown by year is provided…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of hospital waiting times in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government regularly assesses all waiting time performance across all Boards, including in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. In the current year we have made available an additional £565,000 to address waiting times in Dumfries and Galloway. The rece…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers it has asked to repay overpayments in each year since 2011, also broken down by Parliamentary constituency.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Information regarding overpayments is not available as Parliamentary constituency. The number of businesses that have been asked to repay overpayments is broken down per calendar year in the following table. Calendar Year Number of businesses 2012 86 201…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the A76 will be fully re-opened.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: At Auchensell Pool, Scotland TranServ commenced remedial works on 28 November and these were completed on 23 December 2016, allowing the removal of the temporary traffic lights. At Enterkinfoot, the embankment failure is much more complex. This requires more…
13 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS Dumfries and Galloway expects to make a spending reduction of £19 million over the next year.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Dumfries and Galloway presented a draft Financial Plan for 2017-18 at their Board meeting on 5th December 2016. This included £19 million of efficiency savings as part of an overall plan to deliver financial balance. These savings are not about a reducti…
7 Dec 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the rationale was for the decision by regional valuation boards to send out forms on land valuation and shooting rights, and when the decision was taken to issue these.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 ends the exclusion of shootings and deer forests from valuation rolls as of 1 April 2017. Rating valuation is for assessors appointed by local authorities or valuation joint boards, with associated processes and timetables …
29 Nov 2016 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many schools in Dumfries and Galloway have received assistance from the Schools for the Future programme.
Answer · John Swinney: Through the Scotland's Schools for the Future Programme, Dumfries and Galloway Council have been awarded with funding towards three school projects. The schools to be redeveloped are: Dalbeattie High School, Maxwelltown High School and St Joseph's College.