Brian Whittle

25 Jan 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that charities and third sector organisations that support communities are appropriately resourced.

20 Jan 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers sport an important tool in tackling health inequality, and how it will ensure that sport is accessible to all irrespective of background or personal circumstance.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Sport and physical activity are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and so contribute to tackling health inequality. The Scottish Government is committed to increasing rates of physical activity. The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out our ambitio…

9 Jan 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent BBC report suggesting that 90% of performance athletes supported by sportscotland come from a middle class background.

21 Dec 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages access to art, drama and music by all children, irrespective of background.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Through the Youth Music Initiative, Cashback for Creativity programme and Sistema Scotland we are ensuring that no young person’s background is a barrier to taking part in the arts. Creative Scotland continue to work with a range of partners to ensure young …

8 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, which was published on 22 October 2013, (a) what the timeline is for completion of the review's recommendations, (b) how any payment schemes will be policed and reported on and (c) how much retention money in …

Answer · Derek Mackay: In answer to the three parts of the question: (a) Implementation of the majority of recommendations is expected to be completed by mid-2017. (b) The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires that Contracting Authorities prepare a procurement strategy.…

8 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, which was published on 22 October 2013, what it can do to assist SMEs with retention payments, and whether the model used under the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 can be used as an alterna…

Answer · Derek Mackay: As part of the implementation of the recommendations of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, we are developing guidance for contracting authorities. This will help them make the right decisions regarding the appropriate use of pro…

8 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction, which was published on 22 October 2013, and the issue of payments, how it will ensure that the whole supply chain is paid within 30 days.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Please refer to part (b) of the answer to S5W-05454 on 20 December 2016 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…

8 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the minimum suggested level of physical education each week in primary and secondary schools is two hours or two periods.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government's 2011 manifesto commitment was to deliver at least two hours of PE in primary schools and at least two periods of PE in secondary schools for pupils in S1-S4.

8 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal by the StepChange Debt Charity and others to extend the Debt Arrangement Scheme to help people who have undergone an income shock.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I recognise the extreme difficulty and distress that an income shock can cause individuals and their families. The Scottish Government has fought to provide a supportive framework to help individuals to address their indebtedness and reassure a positive path …

6 Dec 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the Ayrshire regional growth deal bid.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is fully committed to finding ways to support regional economies to thrive in Scotland. I met the three Ayrshire Council Leaders on 30 November 2016 to hear an update on their proposals and I am fully supportive of their ambitions to s…

30 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00215 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), whether it considers that Healthcare Improvement Scotland has the required skills and expertise to ensure the credibility and competency of the inquiry, and what the reasons are for…

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer to the answer given to S5W-05242 on 16 December 2016. HIS has a cohort of 53 clinical advisers who support and advise on its work, and for each review will co-opt individuals to provide clinical and other expertise and advise to support each particula…

30 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing an independent investigations body, similar to the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch in NHS England and Wales, to examine incidents in the NHS.

Answer · Shona Robison: Healthcare Improvement Scotland is responsible for scrutinising healthcare providers in Scotland to provide public assurance about the quality and safety of the care being delivered and for supporting those organisations to deliver high quality, evidence base…

30 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00215 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), in light of Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) carrying out the investigation into NHS Ayrshire and Arran in 2012 and its subsequent comments in December 2013 regarding the progr…

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer to the answer given in S5W-05242 on 16 December 2016. Because of their role as a national scrutiny and improvement body, I have complete confidence in Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and their ability to carry out such a review. The National Framew…

30 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00215 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016 (Official Report, c. 6), what the timescale of the inquiry is; what its (a) parameters, (b) objectives and (c) scope will be, and whether the families affected by the issue will be consulted from the outset.

Answer · Shona Robison: The terms of reference for the review are now published on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/governance_and_assurance/programme_resources/ayrshire_maternity_unit_review.aspx and it is expected t…

30 Nov 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce personal physical literacy programmes, such as the STEP programme, in schools as part of its obesity strategy.

15 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist primary school PE teachers there are.

8 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many street lights on the A77 between the Bankfield Roundabout and Fenwick are out of order, and when the repairs will be carried out.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are currently 16 dark lamp repairs identified on the A77 trunk road between Bankfield Roundabout and Fenwick. All outstanding repairs are programmed to be carried out during week commencing 21 November 2016 with the exception of the six dark lamps betwe…

2 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that Scottish Water maintains the highest standards of water quality.

31 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that access to physical activity is available to all, irrespective of background or personal circumstance.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Our vision is of a Scotland where more people are more active, more often. The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out our ambitions for a more active Scotland, and is underpinned by our commitment to equality in everything we do. A range of actions are…

28 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many native Gaelic speakers there are in (a) Ayrshire and Arran, (b) the Scottish Borders, (c) Dumfries and Galloway and (d) the rest of Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The information can be found at: http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/analytical_reports/Report_%20part_1.pdf

28 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out to ascertain whether Gaelic road signage could be a potential hazard as drivers might take more time to read larger volumes of writing.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In 2012, Transport Scotland commissioned a study which looked at whether bilingual signs have had any effect on road safety. The study report is available via the following link: https://trl.co.uk/reports/PPR589 The study concluded that bilingual signs do no…

28 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on Gaelic road signage in (a) Ayrshire and Arran, (b) the Scottish Borders, (c) Dumfries and Galloway and (d) the rest of Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: No money has been spent on Gaelic road signage on trunk roads in (a) Ayrshire and Arran, (b) the Scottish Borders, (c) Dumfries and Galloway in the last five years. For the rest of scotland, the £5m A82 Crianlarich Bypass, opened in December 2014 included an…

13 Oct 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the Transport Scotland consultation on the potential raising of the speed limit on the A77 between the Symington turn-off and the Monkton roundabout.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: A draft order revoking the 50mph speed limit between Bogend Toll and Dutch House Roundabout was published on 16th December 2015, eighteen objections were received. Following engagement with objectors and further investigations sixteen objections have been mai…

29 Sep 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the target timescale is for power of attorney to be issued after submission of the completed application to the Office of the Public Guardian.

Answer · Annabelle Ewing: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply within 20 days.

20 Sep 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the provision of physical education and extra-curricular activity in schools is encouraging children to lead active and healthy lifestyles.

8 Sep 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure the repair of 21 street lights on a two-mile stretch of the A77 at Symington.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland is aware of the issues with lighting on the A77 between Symington and Bogend Toll, and work is continuing to resolve these. Following a recent site inspection and subsequent investigations by Scottish Power, a permanent repair solution is b…

7 Sep 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00878 by Shona Robison on 19 July 2016, how many midwifery vacancies are currently advertised by each NHS board at the band that is open to new graduates, band 5.

Answer · Shona Robison: The number of vacant Midwifery posts per NHS Board is published by ISD Scotland at quarterly intervals. The most recent available Midwifery vacancy data is published as at 30 June 2016. A vacancy is defined as a post which has been cleared for advertisement …

7 Sep 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-00878 by Shona Robison on 19 July 2016, in light of the number of vacancies, what its response is to midwifery graduates from Scotland taking up offers of full-time places in England.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a sustainable supply of midwives and providing attractive employment opportunities for newly qualified midwives in Scotland. In addition to the One Year Job Guarantee Scheme for newly registered midwives and be…

20 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are expected to graduate in midwifery courses in 2016; how many midwifery vacancies there are in each NHS board, and what action it will take to ensure that all graduates trained in Scotland are given the opportunity of full-time work in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) collates data on midwifery graduates each year in its Nursing and Midwifery Annual Statistical Supplement report, which is available on request from NES. The report outlines that there were 87 midwifery graduates in 2014 and 9…

1 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it makes available to community-based sports clubs that are run by volunteers, and whether it plans to increase this.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is committed to continue to support sport at grassroots level, and provides funding and support for community based sports clubs through our national agency for sport, sportscotland. sportscotland has a portfolio of programmes withi…