Parliamentary questions
Rachael Hamilton
1,432 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data will be gathered from communities and businesses in the region following the establishment of South of Scotland Enterprise.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-23343 on 7 June 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/parliamentarybusiness/2…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government where South of Scotland Enterprise will be based.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: South of Scotland Enterprise will operate across the South of Scotland, in a way that is accessible to all wanting to access its services and support. As I outlined in my letter to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on 21 March, Scottish Government …
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how growth in the region will be measured following the establishment of South of Scotland Enterprise.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: As with other such agencies, South of Scotland Enterprise will be expected to set out how it will measure and evaluate growth in its action plan and to report on progress, including utilising standard economic measures and any required to show progress on key…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to ensure that economic growth in the south of Scotland is inclusive and sustainable.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: In recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities in the South of Scotland, the Scottish Government is committed to establishing a new enterprise agency to serve the region from April 2020. South of Scotland Enterprise will play a key role in driving …
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it defines "inclusive growth" in relation to the South of Scotland Enterprise Bill.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government set out its definition of Inclusive Growth, and how it relates to the activities of its Enterprise Agencies, in the answer to question S5W-15066 on 14 March 2018. This states that Inclusive Growth is growth that combines increased pros…
20 May 2019 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to promote active travel.
30 Apr 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take in response to Christian persecution overseas.
23 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date the Speed Awareness Course working group will report on its findings regarding the infrastructure and guidance required for the introduction of courses, including the identification of potential course providers.
Answer · James Wolffe QC: The Lord Advocate has agreed in principle to a Police Scotland proposal to introduce speed awareness courses, where appropriate, as an alternative to prosecution. A working group comprising Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the…
11 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many nurseries in each local authority area have been (a) built, (b) expanded and (c) refurbished in each year since 2016.
Answer · Maree Todd: Scottish Futures Trust have been tracking Local Authorities Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) infrastructure capital projects on behalf of the Scottish Government ELC expansion programme since August 2017. This coincides with the first allocation of capital …
9 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications from businesses in the Scottish Borders to the (a) Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and (b) Agri-Environment Climate Scheme in each year since 2015 were not approved, and how many of these rejections were appealed, broken down by the number that (i) were upheld and…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) details requested below: LFASS Claim Year Number of Eligible (Approved) LFASS claims in Scottish Borders Area Number LFASS of Claims Rejected in Scottish Borders Area Number of Rejections Appealed 2015 598 22 …
9 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its plan to deliver a 50% reduction in the Air Departure Tax and, if so, by what date.
Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22720 on? 23 April 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/parliamentarybusiness…
9 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the Air Departure Tax.
Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22720 on 23 April 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
9 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made regarding the Highlands and Islands exemption to the Air Departure Tax.
Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22720 on 23 April 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
9 Apr 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform the Air Departure Tax.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Act 2017 makes provision for the tax and sets out its structure. As the member is aware, we continue to work to find a solution to the issue of the Highlands and Islands exemption. When a solution has been found, Parliament wi…
26 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to protect archaeological sites.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Government funding for archaeology is channelled via Historic Environment Scotland grant schemes. Despite recent financial constraints, the Scottish Government has maintained Historic Environment Scotland external grants at £14.5 million per year - £…
26 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what legislation protects archaeological sites, and whether it plans in the near future to introduce greater protections for archaeological sites from development.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Currently, nationally important archaeological sites and monuments in Scotland are protected under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. This Act confers on Historic Environment Scotland the function of compiling, maintai…
26 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect archaeological sites.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of Scotland’s historic environment and the wealth of historic structures across the country; many of which are at the heart of our communities. The protection of archaeological sites is defined by Scottish Pl…
19 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the speech by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs at the Scottish Tourism Alliance Conference on 14 March 2019, when in 2019 it plans to introduce its consultation on a locally-determined tourist tax.
Answer · Kate Forbes: As part of the agreement for Budget 2019-20, the Scottish Government committed to consult on the principles of a locally determined tourist tax in 2019. I will provide information on the detail and scope of the consultation, along with timings of legislation …
14 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to report on the review of the ScotRail remedial plan.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Remedial Agreement has now been published on ScotRail’s website. Link is https://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/train_service_performance_remedial_plan_redacted.pdf Both ScotRail and I separately provided an update on ScotRail…
13 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to further education institutions for specialised courses that support disabled students into employment in each year since 2007.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: This government is committed to ensuring that students with additional needs have the same opportunities to access education and employment as their peers. Scottish Funding Council (SFC) statistics show that in academic year 2016-17, 17.1% of learning hours a…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce speed awareness courses for motorists.
Answer · James Wolffe QC: The decision on whether or not Speed Awareness Courses should be introduced as an alternative to prosecution in Scotland is a matter for the Lord Advocate. The Lord Advocate has agreed in principle to Police Scotland proposals to the diversion at source by P…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the culture and arts sector is represented in its strategy to promote Scotland abroad.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22025 on 21 March 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it provides opportunities for the cultural sector to engage with overseas nations and regions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22025 on? 21 March 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/parliamentarybusiness…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes Scotland as a creative nation to the UK and the rest of the world.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22025 on 21 March 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to promote Scottish culture internationally.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has a strong and consistent commitment to international cultural engagement. There are a number of initiatives and programmes that support this cultural ambition: EXPO The Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund continues to provid…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many culture and arts staff are employed in each of its international hubs and offices.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22023 on 19 March 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
11 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its international hubs and offices promote Scotland’s culture.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government’s external network of offices, located in China, Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, UK, the USA and Canada deliver ambitious and exciting programmes to engage local audiences with Scotland’s contemporary culture, in support of the Scot…
4 Mar 2019 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to help people who have bipolar disorder.
21 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what strategy it has for the National Archives of Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: National Records of Scotland (NRS) is the non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government which is the nation's record keeper and official source of demographic statistics. As the official national archive, NRS are guardians of over 800 years of irreplaceab…
12 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to create the role of Cultural Ambassador for Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has no plans to create a role of Cultural Ambassador for Scotland.