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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: S4W-30600

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 22 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils has received two hours of quality PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers in 2015-16.

<>Healthy Living Survey results from 2015 outlined that 98% of primary school pupils were receiving at least 2 hours of PE each week; and 93% of secondary school pupils (S1-4) were receiving at least 100 minutes of PE each week. For both primary and secondary schools, this PE provision was delivered by either a General Teaching Council for Scotland registered class teacher or a PE specialist.

Education Scotland continue to support all schools to help them improve the quality of PE.

Healthy Living Survey results for 2016 will be published in June 2016.

Question reference: S4W-30611

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 21 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to provide free fruit for pregnant women.

The Healthy Start programme in Scotland is a means-tested UK-wide scheme for pregnant women and children under four. From the tenth week of pregnancy, pregnant women on certain benefits or tax credits – or any pregnant women under 18 years irrespective of income – can claim for Healthy Start which provides vouchers that can be put towards the cost fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and milk at any participating retailer. Eligible pregnant women receive one £3.10 voucher a week.

Question reference: S4W-30532

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 21 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, given that NHS Orkney's funding has been £6.1 million below the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) target between 2010-11 and 2015-16, what plans it has to provide NHS Orkney with the £6.1 million to bring it into line with the NRAC target.

Question reference: S4W-30399

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 21 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that island councils should have the power to make the case to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland for the introduction of single or two-member wards where there is a strong geographical case and, if so, what steps it has taken to devolve that power.

As part of the Scottish Government’s recent Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill, views were sought on a range of issues including the concept of island proofing with the flexibility to issue statutory guidance and also councillor representation in island communities.

The findings of the independent analysis of the responses received was published on 14 March 2016 and this will help inform the development of a draft Bill.

Decisions on the introduction of a future Bill will be for the next Scottish Government to determine following the Scottish parliamentary elections in May 2016.

Question reference: S4W-30402

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 21 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its ministers should have the power, at the request of local authorities, to issue statutory guidance in relation to island communities that relevant public bodies would be required to adhere to and, if so, what steps it has taken to achieve this.

Question reference: S4W-30531

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 21 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Orkney was allocated less funding than the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee target in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16.

Question reference: S4W-30769

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 18 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, for what reason “given the role SAYFC plays in our rural communities” it provided less than half of the grant it withdrew from the association.

The Scottish Government provided the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) with funding of £66,000 for a three year period which was always intended to end in March 2016, with no organisations guaranteed funding beyond this point.

However, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment was able to provide SAYFC with funding of £30,000 in recognition of the role it plays in his portfolio interests. This is not linked to the previous funding.

Question reference: S4W-30770

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 18 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, how it came to the conclusion that the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs should be given £30,000 less than the previous grant of £66,000.

Question reference: S4W-30682

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the common agricultural policy allocation has been spent in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland, (b) the Highlands and Islands and (c) Orkney.

Question reference: S4W-30765

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 18 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29455 by Aileen Campbell on 9 March 2016, on what grounds it judged the Scottish Association of Young Farmers unable to meet the criteria for funding.

Applications to the new Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Funds were assessed in terms of relevance, need, quality (of outcomes proposed), sustainability, consideration of vulnerable groups (equalities), partnership/collaborative working, likelihood to deliver and value for money.

All applications were assessed according to these criteria and scored. The score for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC’s) application fell below that of many other organisations which better met the fund criteria. That decision was taken by the board set up by the Scottish Government to ensure that the fund had a balanced portfolio and that essential activities and services will be supported, and make final decisions.

SAYFC has received feedback on the quality of its application from Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and importantly, on how to improve any future application.