Parliamentary questions
Michelle Ballantyne
639 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when its decision on round five of funding for the Coastal Communities Fund will be announced.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: No decision has been made about the future of the Coastal Communities Fund. A review of the Fund is currently underway. We are committed to supporting the current CCF projects through to completion.
5 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it offers to coastal communities in East Lothian, and whether it is considering offering additional support.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: CCF funding has been available on a competitive basis to East Lothian coastal communities and a total of four projects have been funded since 2012. As part of the review of the current CCF arrangements I will be considering the appropriate level of support fo…
4 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle so-called county lines and cuckooing processes reportedly used by drug gangs to spread their networks and set up business in new areas.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government worked with the UK Government on the introduction of Drug Dealing Telecommunications Restriction Orders (DDTROs) which enables Police Scotland to apply to a Sheriff Court for an order to close down a mobile device or mobile telephone n…
29 May 2018 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle human trafficking and rising sexual violence in Scotland.
23 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what processes or information are in place to inform parents that their children can opt out of P1 testing.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government provided information for parents on the Scottish National Standardised Assessments to schools in November 2016, encouraging them to share this material widely with parents and the school community. This information made clear that the …
23 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence was used to reach its decision to introduce testing for P1 pupils.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish National Standardised Assessments were introduced as part of the National Improvement Framework, which was first launched in 2015. The development of the National Improvement Framework was based on the best practice which exists internationally o…
23 May 2018 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to build residential accommodation at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service National Training Centre in Cambuslang.
23 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what residential accommodation for (a) staff and (b) trainees is available at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service National Training Centre in Cambuslang.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: There is no residential accommodation at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service National Training Centre in Cambuslang.
23 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spent on overtime in (a) 2016-17 and (b) 2017-18.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: This information is not held centrally.
23 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spent on overtime in the Lothian and Borders region in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2016-17.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: This information is not held centrally.
23 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has spent housing (a) trainees and (b) staff in (i) hotels and (ii) other temporary accommodation in each year since 2010-11.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: This information is not held centrally.
22 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a property has been acquired to house the Scottish Social Security Agency and, if so, where.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Ministers have acquired accommodation to meet the interim property requirements for the administrative functions of the new Social Security Scotland. We announced the Dundee interim property location in April. https://jobs.socialsecurity.gov.sc…
16 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that interactions between the Department for Work and Pensions and Scotland's social security agency, particularly in areas of split competence, are as smooth as possible.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: We have been working closely with DWP since January 2015. Even after the devolved benefits have transferred, many people will be eligible for support from both DWP and from Social Security Scotland, so there will be an ongoing operational relationship. For t…
16 May 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve labour productivity.
14 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to make its decision on the Inch Cape planning application for the former Cockenzie power station site.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: This application was called in on 9 April and is now being determined by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division. Timing of a decision is dependent on the complexities of the case. The reporter will forward a report, with recommendation, for Ministers…
14 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it considers it is better placed than East Lothian Council to make a decision on the Inch Cape planning application for the former Cockenzie power station site.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: It is not about who is better placed to make a decision, but the level at which that decision is taken. This is a strategic site in the National Planning Framework and it is right that a decision is taken at national level. Ministers recognise the importance…
14 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to engage with local residents to gauge opinion regarding the Inch Cape planning application for the former Cockenzie power station site.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The application is now being determined by a reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division and it is for the reporter to consider the most appropriate process for determining the application. On 16 May, a letter was issued to all consultees a…
14 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it consulted (a) Inch Cape Offshore Ltd, (b) Red Rock Power Ltd, (c) State Development & Investment Corporation, (d) Prestonpans Community Council and (e) Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council prior to its decision to call in the Inch Cape planning application for the former…
Answer · Kevin Stewart: I, as Planning Minister, made this decision based on advice from Energy and Planning and Architecture officials. Scottish Government did not undertake consultation prior to this decision.
3 May 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on which figures were used by the World Health Organization to determine that the levels of pollution in Prestonpans exceeded the limit of 10 micrograms per cubic meter in its recent Global Urban Ambient Air Pollutant Database Update for 2018.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: It is unclear as to what information was used. No fine particulate matter PM2.5 monitoring is currently undertaken in Prestonpans, and previously undertaken screening assessments have indicated that the limit is not at risk of being exceeded in the area. Eas…
2 May 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns regarding the overuse of antidepressants.
26 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that every school is fitted with smoke detectors, and when this will be achieved.
Answer · John Swinney: Local authorities are responsible for ensuring the fire safety for all of their schools. I wrote to all local authorities last year and received reassurances that all necessary steps are being taken on this crucial issue. As part of these steps, it is vital …
23 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses in NHS (a) Borders and (b) Lothian have taken early retirement in each year since 2010.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is not possible to break down early retirals according to staff group from the records held by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency as pension records focus on scheme entitlements rather than staff group.
23 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many teachers in (a) the Scottish Borders, (b) Midlothian and (c) East Lothian have taken early retirement in each year since 2010.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Early retirements Calendar Years 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total East Lothian Council 6 12 8 10 7 5 11 14 3 76 Midlothian Council 9 19 10 10 20 11 7 1 87 Scottish Borders Council 37 26 11 13…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of an alternative method of renewing firearms licenses, other than through a GP, being advocated by the Scottish Association for Country Sports, whether it has explored this with Police Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: This is a reserved area and guidance is produced by the Home Office.
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many firearms license renewals or applications have been turned down by GPs on the basis of the GP conscientiously objecting to firearms.
Answer · Michael Matheson: This information is not held centrally.
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to standardise processes in relation to GPs and their role in firearm license renewals.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The recent HMICS Inspection of firearms licensing compliments the significant progress made in Scotland in improving the effectiveness of? suitability assessments in relation to an applicants medical history. It further recognises the joint working betweenThe…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to increase the amount of written information regarding ADHD that is tailored for individual children.
Answer · Maureen Watt: In Scotland, education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils, including pupils affected by ADHD. An additiona…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a recent survey by the Scottish ADHD Coalition, which found that 41% of parents whose child had been diagnosed with ADHD in the last three years had not been offered information, whether it will consider offering more parents such information.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government funds a number of organisations, including Enquire, who provide an advice and information service to parents and carers of children who require extra help at school. Enquire has developed a number of resources aimed at helping parents …
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the provision of ADHD therapies other than medication, such as psychology input, counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Answer · Maureen Watt: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is managed across primary care and specialist mental health services. While the provision of health services is the responsibility of local health boards, the Scottish Government expects NHS Boards to provide sa…
17 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) midwives, (b) adult nurses, (c) health visitors and (d) doctors receive training in perinatal mental health issues as part of the core pre-registration/undergraduate curriculum in Scotland.
Answer · Shona Robison: Perinatal mental health training is included in the core curriculum for midwives’ and health visitors’ undergraduate training, therefore it is expected that all students within these groups will receive this training. Some pre-registration adult nurse educat…