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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: S5F-02117

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 05 March 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 March 2018

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the capacity of the Scottish Police Authority, and whether the organisation is fit for purpose.

Question reference: S5O-01859

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it sees as the key roles of student associations in representing the interests of students at colleges and universities.

Question reference: S5W-14440

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, in light of the PIRC's comment that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work", what discussions and correspondence it had with the PIRC regarding this matter, broken down by date, and whether it will publish the minutes and notes of the meetings, and copies of the correspondence.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14439 on 27 February 2018

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government does not routinely publish the details of correspondence and notes of meetings with public bodies.

Question reference: S5W-14438

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, when it was made aware of the PIRC's concerns that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work".

Question reference: S5W-14439

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, in light of the PIRC's comment that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work", on what dates the commissioner (a) raised concerns regarding resouces and (b) requested additional resources, broken down by (i) how much was requested on each occasion, (ii) the reason given for each request and (iii) its response to each request.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) budget for 2017-18 was set out in a letter to PIRC on 31 March 2017.

Discussion around demand and resources took place at the regular Sponsorship meetings between PIRC and the Scottish Government on 22 March, 9 August and 7 November 2017. PIRC provided written submissions seeking increases to the annual budget. In June 2017 they requested an increase of £472,202, in August a further £248,678 and in December a total of £1,067,765; there followed an exchange of correspondence in December and January about timing and quantum.

The submissions and correspondence were considered as part of the 2018-19 budget process, the outcome of which reflects the PIRC’s December 2017 submission bringing their total budget to £4,254,000, an increase of 33.5% on their 2017-18 budget.

In recognition of the increasing demand placed on PIRC in 2017, the Scottish Government was also able to offer an additional £100,000 on 6 November on a non-recurring basis, to be spent by 31 March 2018.

Question reference: S5W-14441

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 10 January 2018 (Official Report, c. 17), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that that the timeframe for the investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) into the chief constable was "within its gift" and would "take as long as is required", what its response is to the letter from the commissioner to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, which stated that the organisation was "stretched to the limit" and that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work".

Question reference: S5W-14442

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the one-off £100,000 that was given to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) in November 2017 was calculated, and what its position is on whether this was sufficient for the PIRC to meet its business demands.

Question reference: S5O-01838

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed changes to the roles of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel will impact on retained fire stations.

Question reference: S5O-01782

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 8 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to meet the leadership of Orkney Islands Council.

Question reference: S5F-02036

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2018

To ask the First Minister on what date funds from the Saltire Prize for marine energy will be distributed.