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.

Question reference: S5W-01449

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 28 July 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans over the next five years take to encourage learning foreign languages in (a) schools and (b) communities.

The Scottish Government is committed to full implementation of the 1+2 languages policy in schools by 2021, leading to more and earlier language learning, as a normal part of a broad, relevant school education. We will continue to support local authorities in securing this significant change in the coming five years, including funding. Since 2013 we have already provided £16.2m of additional developmental funding and have supported Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS), which both provide practical support for language learning and teaching. A Strategic Implementation Group leads this process and is working with local authorities, Education Scotland, SCILT and other bodies in planning, delivery and raising expectations of enhanced language learning in schools.

Scottish Government’s strategy New Scots: Integrating Refugees in Scotland’s Communities has an active group for Education which works to identify the role of refugees in promoting linguistic diversity in Scotland’s communities.

Question reference: S5W-01450

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 28 July 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils will be taught a foreign language in 2016-17.

Question reference: S5W-00575

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 June 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 21 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Ayrshire and Arran employs and how this compares with September 2006.

Question reference: S5O-00056

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 June 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Ayrshire and Arran regarding mental health.

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