Parliamentary questions
Oliver Mundell
1,091 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support Transport Scotland is giving to the community of Langholm to improve road signage and specifically to (a) help drivers find Langholm and (b) ensure that the A7 and Scottish destinations are adequately signposted from the M6.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland has recently met with MPs and MSPs, and the Langholm Alliance to discuss signing to Langholm on the Scottish and English trunk road networks. Following these discussions, Transport Scotland has been reviewing potential changes on routes wit…
19 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what good practice guidance exists for health care professionals regarding fibromyalgia.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Current guidelines for healthcare professionals regarding fibromyalgia are available from authoritative professional sources such as the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) - https://www.sign.ac.uk/our-guidelines/management-of-chronic-pain/ a…
19 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update good practice guidance, as a result of previously updated NICE guidelines on myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government republished the Scottish Good Practice Statement on ME/CFS in February 2023, updated with key recommendations from the latest NICE guidelines on ME/CFS. Officials continue to work with stakeholder groups to explore how we might furthe…
19 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently living with (a) myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), (b) fibromyalgia and (c) long COVID/post-exertional malaise.
Answer · Jenni Minto: a) Neurological Conditions: estimating the prevalence in Scotland of selected conditions using GP and Hospital Admissions datasets , a Scottish Government experimental statistics report published in December 2022, contains estimated prevalence of selected n…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any difference in electric vehicle charging prices across the country.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Working with Transport Scotland, Scottish Futures Trust published a market insights report looking at electric vehicle (EV) tariffs on its website in November 2022. This report highlights significant opportunities to harness private sector investment to suppo…
13 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is any exemption to paying council tax in the event that a property is uninhabitable due to fire.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Council Tax is a local tax and the responsibility for the administration of the system, including the application of any reductions, rests with each individual local authority. Properties that are incapable of being occupied, that are undergoing, or which ha…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any concerns from residents in the Torthorward area regarding new pylon infrastructure as a result of windfarm connections.
Answer · Gillian Martin: We need to rapidly accelerate our deployment of renewables in order to support decarbonisation of the GB grid by 2035, and significant investment in our grid infrastructure is required to ensure clean, low-cost renewable electricity can flow to where it is ne…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any reports of individuals being unable to secure a care package in Dumfries and Galloway, and what action it is taking to ensure that care needs are met in rural communities.
Answer · Maree Todd: Health and Social Care Partnerships submit monthly reports to Public Health Scotland on the number of people waiting for packages of care. The last published submission on the 21st August showed that 294 people were waiting for a care at home package in the c…
11 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many forestry scheme applications have been rejected as a result of cumulative environmental impact assessments.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Proposals for creating new woodland in Scotland are assessed under the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. These regulations require those developing forestry projects to identify and consider potentially significant effect…
11 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any benefits of switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a fuel source for homes that are currently using heating oil.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Phasing out fossil fuel heating is essential to meet our legal climate targets and makes us less dependent on volatile and increasingly expensive fossil fuel prices. As set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, the Scottish Governm…
11 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specialist support is available for eating disorders in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Maree Todd: In Dumfries and Galloway, a range of eating disorder care and treatment is provided in line with good clinical practice across primary care, community services and specialist services for children, adolescents and adults. This includes the Child and Adolesc…
11 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20231 by Angela Constance on 22 August 2023, whether it will provide an updated table including how many 101 calls were received by Police Scotland in (a) each month from September to December 2022 and (b) August 2023.
Answer · Angela Constance: As stated in the reply to SW6-20231, the Scottish Government does not hold the information requested as responsibility for managing Police Scotland’s call handling system, including the collection of data for non-emergency 101 calls, rests with the Chief Cons…
11 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many call handlers are currently available to answer 101 calls, and how many were available, on average, in each of the last three years.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Decisions on the allocation of resources and the deployment of officers and staff are the responsibility of the Chief Constable of Scotland.
11 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how long the average 101 call lasts, once answered.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested. Police Scotland regularly publish performance data, including for the non-emergency 101 service, on their website at Call Handling Reports 2023 - Police Scotland . Furthermore, Police Scotland…
28 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the discharge of sewage in water courses in Dumfriesshire.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to S6W-20317 on 15 August 2023 for information on the approach taken across Scotland. Scottish Water publishes details of individual projects on its website. Examples of investment in Dumfriesshire include https://www.scotti…
23 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of children are currently registered with an NHS dentist in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway area, and what steps are being taken to improve access to dental services.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Dental registration statistics, including the percentage of children who are registered with a NHS dentist in the Dumfries and Galloway area, are published by Public Health Scotland and can be viewed online at Dental statistics - NHS registration and partici…
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many contract inflation claims have been made by house builders and contractors for the construction of social housing in each of the last two years, and whether it will provide a list of the successful claims in that period.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of contract inflation claims made by house builders and contractors. This contractual information is held between grant recipient and house builders and/or contractors.
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the HGV speed limit on the A75 to 50mph.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland is undertaking a National Speed Management Review to support a range of policies that help our Government’s national outcomes and indicators. These include related policy drivers such as better road safety and health outcomes, promotion of …
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what the reasons are that it is reportedly no longer possible for members of the public to contact Trading Standards Scotland directly.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The regulation of consumer protection, including the work of Trading Standards Scotland, is reserved to the UK Government. Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) is an intelligence-led organisation that investigates consumer issues where harm has occurred across l…
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it can provide to firms making a contract inflation claim for the construction of social housing that are not being supported by the housing association responsible for the development.
Answer · Paul McLennan: It is not appropriate for Scottish Government to be involved in contractual decisions or discussions between grant applicants and firms constructing the homes. Any inflationary claims from construction firms should be submitted to their client whose role it i…
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any penalties have been paid by Cunninghame Housing Association due to the reported delayed handover and habitation of properties in the Windermere Park Development in Annan.
Answer · Paul McLennan: No penalties have been paid by Cunninghame Housing Association in relation to the delayed handover of the 60 social rented properties at Windermere Park Annan.
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is reportedly no provision for diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Maree Todd: NHS Dumfries and Galloway does offer adult ADHD diagnostic assessments, but I do appreciate however that there is a growing demand from people seeking referrals from their GP. We are committed to improving access to ADHD diagnosis in Scotland and are engaged…
22 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much Cunninghame Housing Association has been paid to date in relation to the Windermere Park Development.
Answer · Paul McLennan: To date, Cunninghame Housing Association has received a total of £5,066,374.16 for the project at Windermere Park Annan.
2 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address safety issues arising from silent, electric vehicles, particularly in rural settings.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Vehicle standards remain a reserved matter for the UK Government. Electric vehicles (EV) have come under scrutiny in regards to the lack of noise emission at lower speeds. Although when driving above 20 mph the road noise from tyres and wind mean that EV noi…
25 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20182 by Jenni Minto on 25 July 2023, what additional support and financial assistance will be put in place for parents and family members who require to travel and stay overnight to access specialist treatment and be close to their baby.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Hospitals are expected to provide parents with access to accommodation on site if needed. In addition the Young Patients Family Fund provides reimbursement for costs of travel, subsistence and accommodation for the eligible parents, carers and/or siblings (ag…
25 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any community concerns about proposals to plant Sitka spruce on Warblaw Hill in Langholm.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scottish Government is aware of community concerns and Scottish Forestry attended a public consultation drop in event held in Langholm on 4 th May this year, which was arranged by the land owners and their forestry agents with encouragement to do so by offici…
25 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to any communities that are concerned about the landscape and biodiversity impacts of planting commercial forestry.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has recently published refreshed guidance on community engagement and consultation in relation to forestry plans and proposals. The purpose of the guidance is to provide greater clarity around the existing engagement and consultation p…
25 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government in what locations surface dressing has been used on the trunk road network in each of the last three years.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In the last 3 years surface dressing has been used in 5 locations on the Trunk Road Network. These locations are: A76 Bargower (South of Kilmarnock)A701 Boreland (North of Dumfries)A75 Hetland Hall (Between Annan and Dumfries)A75 Kinmount (Between Annan and D…
25 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average wait time for a call to the Police Scotland 101 service to be answered was in each of the last six months.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested, as responsibility for managing Police Scotland’s call handling system, including for non-emergency 101 calls, rests with the Chief Constable. Police Scotland publish performance data, including…
10 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action Transport Scotland is taking to enable Annan Harbour Action Group to become the statutory harbour authority for Annan Harbour.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland consider all enquiries regarding harbour orders, and provide feedback for applicants to consider how the requirements of becoming a Statutory Harbour Authority could be met. Transport Scotland officials have corresponded with and provided a…