Parliamentary questions
Rachael Hamilton
1,432 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the projected cost of (a) MV Glen Sannox and (b) Hull 802.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work has set up a Programme Review Board to report on the revised schedule and costs for the delivery of vessels 801 and 802 under construction at Ferguson Marine shipyard. The report is expected to be subm…
4 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with other parties wishing to commission vessels for construction at Ferguson Marine shipyard.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Turnaround Director of Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd in administration is responsible for discussions with prospective customers. Any prospective customers expressing an interest in commissioning vessels from Ferguson Marine directly to Scottish Governm…
4 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with other parties interested in the purchase of Ferguson Marine shipyard.
Answer · Derek Mackay: This is not a matter for Scottish Government. Discussions with parties interested in the purchase of the shipyard would have been directed to, and handled by, the appointed administrators of Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish each Scottish Growth Scheme monthly progress report produced to date.
Answer · Derek Mackay: There are no plans to publish the internal Scottish Growth Scheme monthly report.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what schemes are in place as a result of money divested by the Digital Growth Fund.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Digital Development Loan is the first programme delivering under the Digital Growth Fund.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been made available through the Digital Growth Fund to date.
Answer · Kate Forbes: £36m has been made available through the Digital Growth Fund to date.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Growth Scheme is expected to end.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The original timeline for the Scottish Growth Scheme was for a 3 year period to June 2020.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been invested in the Scottish Growth Scheme to date, and how many businesses have been supported by this investment.
Answer · Derek Mackay: To 30 September 2019, £160m has been invested in the Scottish Growth Scheme and this has supported 262 businesses.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the investment in the Scottish Growth Scheme to date has come from (a) it and (b) private enterprise.
Answer · Derek Mackay: To date, Scottish Government has invested £29.5m through Scottish Enterprise and appointed Fund Managers. In addition, we have sourced £15.4m from European sources via ERDF and European Investment Fund monies. These monies have leveraged private enterprise re…
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have been supported by the Digital Growth Fund.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Since the Digital Development Loan was launched 50 businesses have been supported by the Digital Growth Fund.
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting schools and communities to promote culture and heritage through digital means.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government supports schools and communities through its funded bodies to promote culture and heritage using digital technology. The National Collections, Creative Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, National Perfo…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what definition it uses to determine whether someone is socially isolated.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The definitions reflected in our strategy, ‘A Connected Scotland’, are drawn from the NHS Health Scotland review of social isolation and loneliness prevalence and trends. Social isolation refers to when an individual has an objective lack of social relations…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports golf tourism in the south of Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scotland is recognised as the Home of Golf and it is a recognition we are proud of with an estimated 700,000 rounds of golf played by our visitors each year. Just this year, we have hosted five top-class golf events, including the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagl…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to increase cooperation between (a) Scottish museums and (b) Scottish museums and those elsewhere in the UK.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Co-operation, in the form of partnership working, is at the core of what museums do, how they work and the ways in which they deliver public value and is vital to the sustainability of the sector. From our national collections to local authority museums and g…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging more long-haul flights from Scottish airports.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government adopts a Scotland-wide approach to route development. This cross Government partnership involving Transport Scotland, Scottish Development International and VisitScotland, works closely with Scotland’s airports to provide support to ai…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in reviewing the statutory code of practice for the Blue Badge Scheme.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Work on the review of the non-statutory Blue Badge Code of Practice has begun and is being taken forward by Transport Scotland officials working with relevant stakeholders, including MND Scotland with respect to testing new models for obtaining a Blue Badge f…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the economic contribution of the horseracing industry to be in Scotland.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government recognises the work of Scottish Racing and the impact it has on employment, rural communities and the economy. Scottish Racing recently produced their Annual Review and 2019 Outlook http://www.scottishracing.co.uk/annual-review/ whic…
29 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the 2021 Census rehearsal, which was held on 13 October 2019.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The census rehearsal operation started on 7 October 2019 and closed for returns on 7 November 2019, with a reference date of 13 October 2019. The rehearsal was conducted in three local authority areas, namely parts of Glasgow City, Dumfries and Galloway and N…
28 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the Electoral Commission regarding the Referendums (Scotland) Bill, and what the outcome was.
Answer · Michael Russell: There have been multiple constructive discussions between the Scottish Government and the Electoral Commission to discuss the Bill over recent months. As I have indicated previously, I intend to bring forward some amendments at Stage 2 that would improve the …
21 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the electrification of the Borders Railway is part of the Programme for Government commitment regarding the decarbonisation of rail network.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W- 25908 on 11 November 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/parliamentarybusine…
21 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date ScotRail will deliver (a) bi-mode trains and (b) revamped and modernised rolling stock on the Borders Railway.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As committed in the Programme for Government, we will publish an action plan in spring 2020 to decarbonise Scotland’s railway network by 2035. The primary focus will be the continuation of a rolling programme of efficient electrification, the procurement of b…
21 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to put in place the Programme for Government commitment regarding the decarbonisation of the rail network.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As committed in the Programme for Government, we will publish an action plan in spring 2020 to decarbonise Scotland’s railway network by 2035. The primary focus will be the continuation of a rolling programme of efficient electrification, the procurement of b…
21 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost each year to administer the implementation of the reintroduction of non-domestic rates on sporting rights, including the cost of administrating appeals.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The valuation of non-domestic properties for rating purposes is carried out by independent Scottish Assessors. It is their responsibility to manage their own budget and the cost of entering properties, including sporting rights on the Valuation Roll is not he…
21 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been raised each year from the collection of non-domestic rates charged on sporting rights, broken down by parliamentary region.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Information on the income from non-domestic rates charged on sporting rights are not available by parliamentary region. The following table presents the estimated non-domestic rates income raised from sporting rights from 2017-18 until 2019-20, broken down by…
21 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many appeals have been (a) made and (b) upheld each year against non-domestic rates charged on sporting rights, broken down by parliamentary region.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government collects and publishes quarterly aggregate information on the number of appeals made, resolved and the resulting revisions in rateable value. We do not collect property-level information on appeals and therefore do not hold information…
7 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs are associated with game shooting in Scotland.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government commissioned research into socio-economic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moor shooting estates in Scotland. The first phase of this work was completed by researchers at Scotland’s Rural College and the James Hutton Institute…
7 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contribution shooting has made to the economy in each of the last five years.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Scottish Government commissioned research into socio-economic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moor shooting estates in Scotland. The first phase of this work was completed by researchers at…
7 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much revenue has been generated for the Scottish Land Fund from the reintroduction of sporting rates.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: No revenue has been generated for the Scottish Land Fund from the removal of the exemptions for sporting rates. Local Authorities retain every penny of non-domestic (NDR) rates raised locally, including any income from the abolition of NDR relief on shooting…
17 Sep 2019 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote effective moorland management.
11 Sep 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is position is on the (a) safety and (b) cost effectiveness of fords as river crossings.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads, including ford river crossings, in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement o…