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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.

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Question reference: S4W-24089

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 29 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out a study of the impact on the Western Isles economy of the decision to delay improvement works on Ullapool harbour for a five-week period from 20 April 2015 and whether it is aware that B&B owners in Lewis are receiving cancellations due to the lack of sailings during this period.

In order to ensure the timely completion of the Stornoway-Ullapool ferry project and entry into service of the MV Loch Seaforth, I have set up a taskforce and chaired the first meeting on 15 January 2015. I will be chairing the second taskforce meeting in Stornoway on 2 February 2015.

The role of the taskforce is to identify issues and to ensure that the project is completed by the end of May 2015. Membership of the taskforce includes Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Stornoway Port Authority, Ullapool Harbour Trust, CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.

The taskforce agreed that the Ullapool linkspan replacement works should now be undertaken between 20 April 2015 and 24 May 2015. These works were originally scheduled to take place between 22 February 2015 to 7 April 2015 but have been delayed due to overruns of the pier works being undertaken by Stornoway Port Authority. Further delays to the Ullapool works would mean that the resilience and service benefits of the new facilities would take longer to be put in place, and would add to the overall cost of the improvements. A study on the impact on the Western Isles economy during the five week closure to vehicle ferry traffic has therefore not been undertaken.

VisitScotland, in conjunction with CalMac, is looking at an additional marketing investment to encourage visitors and mitigate any impact the islands may suffer from the short term disruption at Ullapool.

Provisional timetables for 20 April to 24 May have been drafted and CalMac are talking to all interested parties about the details. CalMac have posted background information and answers to “frequently asked questions” relating to the planned closure at Ullapool. The link to this information can be found at:

http://www.calmac.co.uk/ullapool-linkspan-closure.htm

Question reference: S4W-23751

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 14 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23184 by Paul Wheelhouse on 17 November 2014, when it will receive the results of the research by Optimal Economics Ltd on the cost effectiveness of residential sprinklers and whether it will make them public.

Question reference: S4T-00886

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 January 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to resolve transport disruption caused by recent storms.

Question reference: S4F-02486

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 December 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2014

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the closure of the Kinloss rescue coordination centre.

Question reference: S4O-03827

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the economy of abolishing air passenger duty for young people.

Question reference: S4W-23433

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what help it provides to diabetes patients who have been refused prescriptions for blood-testing strips.

We expect any decisions made on a person’s self-management regimen to be determined on the basis of an assessment of their needs and made in close consultation with the person living with diabetes. In addition to this we would also expect patients to have access to appropriate structured education in order to support the self-management of their diabetes.

If patients have any concerns with their treatment or care then they should discuss this with the healthcare practitioner responsible for their care in the first instance.

Question reference: S4W-23432

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 5 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to NHS boards about the circumstances in which prescriptions for blood-testing strips for diabetes patients might be restricted.

We expect clinicians to follow national guidelines. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guideline 116 on the management of diabetes, makes it clear who would benefit the most from self-monitoring of blood glucose. The guidelines also set out recommendations to help support people in self-managing their diabetes, including access to appropriate education.

Appropriate access to blood testing strips for self-monitoring is a matter for each individual in discussion with the healthcare practitioner responsible for their care, and will be based on an assessment of the individual’s clinical needs.

Question reference: S4W-23431

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 5 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many diabetes patients have been refused prescriptions for blood-testing strips in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S4O-03790

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 4 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to raise parents' awareness of the role that they can play in young driver safety.

The Scottish Government recognises that younger drivers can be particularly at risk on the roads and drivers aged 17-25 are one of the priorities for action within Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020.

Earlier this year Road Safety Scotland issued a national guide for parents and guardians giving advice on helping young people stay safe before, during and after the driver training and testing process.

Question reference: S4W-23305

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 3 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate the impacts of planned and potential improvements to transport and communication infrastructure on the sustainability of communities and businesses in the west Highlands.

The Scottish Government recognises that a safe, efficient and effective transport system is essential for Scotland and the Scottish economy. The Strategic Transport Projects Review recommendations, including improvements to the A82 and other road safety improvements across the area, will improve links between the west Highlands and Central Scotland which will make the region a more attractive destination for business as well as contributing to improved safety, reliability and efficiency of transport. Similarly modern digital connectivity is widely recognised as a driver of increased productivity, innovation and international trade. Its impacts will be both social and economic. Benefits are likely to include increased opportunities for our most remote and rural areas, a potential boost to economic development, more flexible ways of working, improved retention rates of our young people as well as helping attract new residents.