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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S4O-02116

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S4W-14110

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what process it followed to appoint the chairs of regional college boards and how the vacancies for these posts were advertised.

Question reference: S4W-14112

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what action it took to ensure that it followed each of the seven principles set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life when appointing the chairs of regional college boards.

Question reference: S4O-02014

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 18 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the fatal accident inquiry system.

I gave an undertaking to the Justice Committee in January 2012 that a Bill would be brought forward within the lifetime of this Parliament to implement the reforms suggested by Lord Cullen in his Review of the Legislation on Fatal Accident Inquiries. But reform of the wider civil justice system recommended by the Scottish Civil Courts Review led by Lord Gill must take precedence.

Some of the principal recommendations of Lord Cullen’s Review were addressed to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). These have largely been implemented already, in particular, the establishment of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit which now investigates all non-criminal deaths which are reported to COPFS, liaises with Crown Counsel and conducts Fatal Accident Inquiries.

The Unit has also assumed responsibility for COPFS policy on deaths and for liaison with external agencies. SFIU is a specialist and dedicated unit within COPFS which investigates deaths.

I would be happy to meet the member to discuss her specific concerns about the system of fatal accident inquiries.

Question reference: S4W-12252

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what cost has been incurred by each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.

Question reference: S4W-12251

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many working hours have been committed to each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.

Question reference: S4W-12250

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are involved in each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.

As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required.

The amount of time staff spend contributing to the workstreams varies widely from week to week, and we do not routinely record this information, as we have no business need for it. The most recent published information on this subject is in the form of a response to a Freedom Of Information request available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/constitution/About/Workstreams.

Question reference: S4O-01972

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland concerning film and television production.

Question reference: S4W-13618

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism it would employ in order to designate a national tree.

At present, there is no legal or established process for designating a national tree. However, the Public Petitions Committee recently asked Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage for their views on designating Scots pine as a national tree. A joint submission was made by both organisations to the committee to set out a number of factors that might be considered regarding the selection of a national tree. Depending on the response from the Public Petitions Committee and any committee recommendations, we will consider whether to move forward with adopting a national tree and what consultation would be appropriate.

Question reference: S4W-13619

Asked by: Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it would undertake prior to designating a national tree.