Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-25815

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) revenues or (b) inter-group loans from Serco Group plc have been used to fund the operation of the current Northern Isles Ferry Services contract with Serco NorthLink Ferries since July 2012.

The Scottish Government can confirm that no revenues, or intergroup loans, from Serco Group plc have been used to fund the operation of the current Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) contract with Serco NorthLink Ferries since July 2012.

Commercial revenues received within the NIFS contract are taken into account when determining the subsidy received from the Scottish Government. i.e. increased revenue received from operating the ferry services reduces the level of Scottish Government subsidy required.

Question reference: S5W-25814

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government on what (a) cost, (b) quality or (c) other grounds David MacBrayne Ltd’s bid for the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract from 31 October 2019 was unsuccessful.

Question reference: S5W-25872

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the levels of funding for the next phase of the Learning Estate Investment Programme, and what the timescale will be for local authorities to bid for this.

Question reference: S5W-25863

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of Scottish seafarers who are employed on the (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay freight ships chartered to work on the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

There are currently 19 positions (including 1 cadet who is a Scottish seafarer) on the Helliar and 18 on the Hildasay. All crew on board the vessels are entitled to work in the UK and are European nationals.

The crew on these vessels are provided through Marine Manning Guernsey Limited.

Crew on board the freight vessels continue to benefit from the principles set out in the Fair Work Framework such as; access to NorthLink’s extensive training programme, genuine workforce engagement and payment of the Living Wage.

Question reference: S5W-25870

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidance regarding the provision of bus services by transport authorities.

The Transport (Scotland) Bill was passed on 10 October and is anticipated to receive Royal Assent before the end of this year.

A good deal of preparatory work will be undertaken on the significant volume of regulations and guidance required in relation to the new provisions on bus services. My officials will be engaging with local transport authorities and operators over the coming months in taking this work forward with a view to beginning commencement of the provisions during 2020.

Question reference: S5W-25854

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many additional support for learning staff have been employed during each of the last 10 years, also broken down by local authority.

We want all children and young people to receive the support they need to reach their full potential.

We are clear that all school staff provide additional support for learning, not just support for learning staff.

Information on the number of staff employed during each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority can be found here:

https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education
/SupportStaff

https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/
teachcenssuppdata

https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20180515164130/
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/02/09090009/110 .

Question reference: S5W-25855

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA on its Programme for Government announcement to invest an additional £15 million in additional support for learning.

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with CoSLA about our commitment to invest an additional £15 million in additional support for learning.

We are engaging with CoSLA to agree how this commitment will be implemented across Scotland to build capacity within education authorities and schools to respond more effectively to the individual needs of children and young people; and enhance learning outcomes to ensure young people reach their future potential.

Question reference: S5W-25873

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it (a) received or (b) expects to receive the report by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division on the public inquiry on the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme, and when it will announce its decision whether to proceed with or reject the scheme.

Question reference: S5W-25875

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects the proposals set out in the recently passed Transport (Scotland) Bill regarding bus services to come into effect.

The Transport (Scotland) Bill was passed on 10 October and is anticipated to receive Royal Assent before the end of this year.

A good deal of preparatory work will be undertaken on the significant volume of regulations and guidance required in relation to the new provisions on bus services. My officials will be engaging with local transport authorities and operators over the coming months in taking this work forward with a view to beginning commencement of the provisions during 2020.

Question reference: S5O-03692

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many carer and disability benefit recipients in the South Scotland region participate in the social security experience panels.

Chamber and committees