Ross Greer

26 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the charitable status of private schools.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not have any plans to review the charitable status of independent schools at present. The Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (“OSCR”) is responsible for determining charitable status in Scotland in accordance with the Cha…

26 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the capacity to provide Gaelic medium education in light of the demand for this.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is aware of the capacity issues associated with the increasing demand for Gaelic education. The question of capacity generally focuses on staffing, accommodation and resources. Information is collected on pupil and teacher numbers by t…

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason levels of anti-social noise, for the purpose of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004, are measured in dB(A) rather than dB(C), in light of evidence that dB(A) measurements have trouble picking up low frequency noises, such as bass, which may cause nuisance.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Part five of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (ASBA) was designed to provide a swift effective deterrent to the problem of antisocial neighbour noise. The decision to use dB(A) was based on the research report commissioned to inform the legis…

9 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office of Nuclear Safety (ONS) on the third cycle periodic safety review of Hunterston B, and when it expects the ONS to issue its decision.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Nuclear safety is a reserved matter, however, the Scottish Government continues to work closely with the UK Government, Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and all relevant emergency responders on contingency planning and keeps its arrangements under continua…

22 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the death of a cyclist at the Erskine Bridge on 18 December 2016, what action it is taking to improve cyclist safety.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scotland's Road Safety Framework envisages a future where no one is killed on Scotland's roads, and the injury rate is much reduced. We remain committed to implementing the Framework and a mid-term review in 2016 identified cyclists and pedestrians as priorit…

22 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which local authority areas are covered by its committment in the 2017-18 draft budget to develop the south of Scotland as a tourism destination.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The scope of this work has yet to be agreed, but will be subject to engagement with a range of public, private and third sector stakeholders.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last provided guidance on what constitutes "access to a teacher" for pre-school children and whether it plans to review or strengthen this during the current parliamentary session.

Answer · Mark McDonald: Guidance on Pre-school Teacher Deployment was last published in May 2009. The Scottish Government believes that children must have access to highly qualified staff with expertise in early childhood learning and development – and that this is particularly vit…

6 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the members of the Review of Student Support group and how it plans to consult students and other stakeholders.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Membership of the Further and Higher Education Student Support Review Working Group is published on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/studentsupportreview. The Scottish Government is keen to hear the…

5 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce its decision regarding the result of the bids by Troon and Ardrossan for the Arran ferry service.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We expect the study announced on 3 November to report in February/March and a decision will be announced as soon as possible thereafter. Peter Brett Associates have now been appointed to carry out the study.

12 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the economic impact on coastal communities of a decline in the inshore whitefish catch.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government commissioned research into the impact of change in sea fishing on the social well-being of Scotland’s fishing communities in 2013. The report titled ‘The impact of sea fishing on social well-being in Scottish fishing communities’ is av…

2 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect bus services.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the bus sector through the provision of £50m funding through the Bus Service Operators Grant. This substantial funding helps keep fares at affordable levels and helps enable operators to safe-guard bus serv…

25 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-05254 by Alasdair Allan on 14 January 2016 (Official Report, c.1), by what date the review of the guidance on the duty to provide mainstream education will take place.

Answer · John Swinney: It is our intention to establish a working group on the review and consult on draft refreshed guidance next year. The draft guidance will be subject to public consultation to ensure that the contributions of a wide range of interested individuals and organis…

5 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out into the economic impact on communities on Arran and the Ayrshire coast of a decline in the Clyde whitefish sector.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is aware of economic analysis by environmental non-governmental organisations on the potential economic benefits of recovery of whitefish in the Clyde. It has not undertaken own economic research into impacts on communities from the hi…

5 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out since 2012 into the economic impact of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has not undertaken any research into the economic impact of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone.

28 Sep 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when during the first year of the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services it expects CalMac to introduce new smart ticketing products for (a) passengers and (b) commercial vehicles.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Discussions are already underway with CalMac Ferries Ltd to obtain a new system to deliver a Smart and Integrated Ticketing and Booking System for passengers and freight. We will continue to work with CalMac and other operators in the development and roll out…

1 Jun 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the provision of additional support for learning posts in schools.