Adam Tomkins

26 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, prior to its announcement of support for what it called Catalonia’s right to self-determination and to call a referendum, what consideration it gave to the implications of this position for the 9,000 Spanish citizens who live, work and study in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has called for dialogue between the Spanish and Catalan governments to identify a way forward which complies with the rule of law but also respects democracy and allows the people of Catalonia to choose their own future. The Scottish …

26 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, prior to its announcement of support for what it called Catalonia’s right to self-determination and to call a referendum, what assessment it made of Spain’s written constitution and legal framework.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is aware of Spain’s written constitution and legal framework and has taken it into consideration in calling for dialogue between the Spanish and Catalan governments to identify a way forward to resolve a complex situation, which compli…

21 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the commercial insurance industry.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: While powers in respect of regulation of the industry and fiscal policy of insurance providers are reserved to the Westminster Parliament and UK Ministers, the Scottish Government is working to build a sustainable future for the financial services sector in S…

18 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed closure of 58 Police Scotland buildings, including police stations, which was announced in November 2016.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The responsibility for the police estate sits with the Scottish Police Authority. At its meeting on 28 September 2017, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) approved a proposal for Police Scotland to formally engage with local communities, partners and stakeho…

18 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase levels of domestic overnight tourism in Scotland, which reportedly dropped by 30% in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the same period in the previous year.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government continues to work closely both with its public agencies and with the Scottish Tourism Alliance to ensure that the tourism industry remains a key growth sector for the Scottish economy and maximises opportunities both in UK and overseas…

18 Sep 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on Scotland of a report from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, which has reportedly found that 30% of people in Great Britain hold anti-Semitic attitudes.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government believes that there is no place for anti-Semitism in Scotland, and we are committed to tackling all forms of prejudice and hate. We are not complacent, and whilst recorded cases of hate crime against Judaism remain low, we recognise we…

28 Aug 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken in preparation for new schemes of shared governance in the UK that may result from Brexit.

24 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the law on residential designated disabled parking spaces to give them a stronger legally enforceable status.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: On 31 March, we launched a consultation entitled' Improving Parking in Scotland', which closed on 30 June 2017 for the general public and 31 August for local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships. The consultation paper considered how parking is cur…

23 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign since May 2016; who attended, and what was discussed.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: There have been no Scottish Government Ministerial or official meetings with the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign since May 2016.

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10439 by Kevin Stewart on 9 August 2017, how many staff are involved in supporting the work of independent advisers, and what has been the cost of providing this support in each of the last three years.

Answer · Angela Constance: A range of staff have been involved in supporting independent advisers. These staff have provided different kinds of support – from analytical advice to information on current policy direction. A small secretariat has on occasion been provided but these staff…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10439 by Kevin Stewart on 9 August 2017, how many independent advisers are paid either the maximum or ceiling fees across all banding for both chairs and members, as outlined in the Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments, Chairs and Member…

Answer · Angela Constance: There are currently no independent advisers who are paid either the maximum or ceiling fees across all banding for both chairs and members, as outlined in the Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments, Chairs and Members fee framework.

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many independent advisers it has in post.

Answer · Angela Constance: Following the conclusion of the Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality’s contract in July, there is one remaining independent adviser; the Race Equality Framework Adviser. The Race Equality Framework Adviser provides strategic independent expertise, i…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement that the Road to Recovery strategy will be refreshed, when it anticipates the updated strategy will be published, and which stakeholders it plans to consult.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The announcement to refresh Scotland’s drug strategy reflects the change in contemporary drug use in Scotland and the landscape in which drug and alcohol services are planned and delivered. The Scottish Government will be taking forward work to engage with st…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost to (a) develop and (b) launch the Ready Steady Baby! smartphone app; whether there are figures regarding its uptake and, if so, how many times it has been downloaded, and whether it is still regularly being updated.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Ready Steady Baby App launched in December 2012 and cost a total of £91,475 to develop and launch. A breakdown of these costs is: • Fees to an external supplier and additional production costs (£28,572) • Internal staff time - project management, marketing,…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of its National Parenting Strategy.

Answer · Mark McDonald: The Parenting Strategy contains over 80 commitments, developed in conjunction with a number of delivery partners, and underpins our ambition to make Scotland the best place to grow up. All commitments, with the exception of one have been delivered. The outst…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09816 by Maureen Watt on 17 July 2017, to what extent Actions 27 and 28 of the Mental Health Strategy have been implemented, and how they are being assessed.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The Mental Health Strategy 2017 - 2027 published on 30th March 2017 contains 40 ambitious actions, two of which are specifically focused on individuals experiencing dual diagnosis of a mental health illness and substance misuse problem. This is a ten year st…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09897 by Mark McDonald on 7 July 2017, whether the quarterly evaluation reports of the Scottish Adoption Register are available to the public.

Answer · Mark McDonald: The quarterly evaluation reports of Scotland's Adoption Register are not available to the public. The Scottish Adoption Register publishes their annual report which summarises their quarterly reports. The 2016-17 annual report can be found at www.scotlandsado…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09897 by Mark McDonald on 7 July 2017, which local authorities are not making use of the Adoption Register, and for what reason.

Answer · Mark McDonald: The only local authority who has not made use of the Adoption Register is the Western Isles. This is due to the fact that the Western Isles have not had any adopters in the last three years and the number of children requiring adoption is minimal. It is impo…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the number of unauthorised student absences in schools.

Answer · John Swinney: Parents are ultimately responsible for ensuring their child’s regular attendance at school. Schools will authorise absences where they are satisfied there is a legitimate explanation. Where no satisfactory explanation is given, an unauthorised absence will be…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to the number of school exclusions in the most deprived areas.

Answer · John Swinney: Improving the life chances of all our children and young people is vitally important. That is why the Scottish Government recognises the important role of our education system and the need to provide a positive and inclusive learning experience for all school…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the recidivism rate for young offenders.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Evidence is growing that children involved in a pattern of offending, or who are involved in more serious offences, are almost always our most vulnerable, victimised and traumatised young people. If we are to address their offending behaviour and promote desi…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what interventions there are to provide support to parents of young offenders to ensure that they do not reoffend.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Families of children and young people who offend often have similar needs to those with welfare concerns. A range of intensive programmes are available, and local partners make decisions on what is most appropriate to meet the needs of children and families i…

14 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle offending among 16 and 17-year-olds, and what (a) funding it has provided and (b) projects it has supported on this issue.

Answer · Michael Matheson: 2017-18 Funding  Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) £700,000 To support improvements in youth justice. Work centres on 3 key activities: Practice Development: Working with practitioners and policy-makers in developing, supporting and coordinatin…

25 Jul 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is determines which policy areas require independent advisers; how it ensures that the advisers maintain their independence, and what their pay range is.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Independent advice is sought in areas where Scottish Ministers feel that they can benefit from external expertise, specialist knowledge and constructive challenge in areas of high priority, such as tackling poverty or race inequality. The Scottish Government …

21 Jul 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many independent advisers have been appointed to serve the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security, and Equalities; what role the cabinet secretary had in making these appointments; what the selection process was; who they are; what their duties are; when they were appoint…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The only independent adviser appointed to report directly to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities has been the Race Equality Framework Adviser, Kaliani Lyle. Ms Lyle was appointed as a direct Ministerial appointment on 7 Decem…

21 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Adoption Register has had on the number of children placed in adoption, and how the initiative is being evaluated.

Answer · Mark McDonald: Through the Children and Young People Act 2014, the Scottish Government has placed Scotland’s Adoption Register on a statutory footing. The Register provides opportunities for children to be matched with families across Scotland, if they cannot be matched loc…

21 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are in temporary accommodation in each local authority area.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government collect information on the number of households and the number of dependent children in Temporary Accommodation from Local Authorities via the HL2 data collection. However, the total number of people in temporary accommodation is not c…

21 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it evaluates the effectiveness of the funding to local authorities through the local government settlement for the recruitment of foster families.

Answer · Mark McDonald: The local government settlement, including funding for the recruitment of foster families, is paid via block grant and the Scottish Government do not evaluate the effectiveness of individual strands of funding. Local authorities are given flexibility to mana…

21 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many households with children and/or a pregnant family member have been placed in B&B and hostel accommodation in each of the last 12 months, and how long they spent in this accommodation.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government collect information on households in Temporary Accommodation from Local Authorities on a quarterly basis. The HL2 data collection provides a snapshot figure of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter, therefore…

21 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer question S5W-07088 by Humza Yousaf on 9 March 2017, when work towards the architectural element of the station redevelopment will commence; whether the delayed Transport and Works Scotland Order application has led to futher postponements and what subsequent meetin…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Transport and Works Scotland Order application for the Queen Street Station redevelopment was approved on 31 March 2017. Works at Queen Street Station have already commenced with an advanced works package in the North Hanover Street car park area and int…