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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: S5W-06534

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00336 by Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2016 (Official Report, c. 4), whether the minister’s comments that “those who have a bus pass will keep that bus pass” and “there will be no change to the scheme for those with a disability” is consistent with the comment in the Draft Budget 2017-18 that it will “constrain payments under the concessionary travel scheme for older and disabled people as a result of a negotiated settlement with the bus sector and develop options in consultation with stakeholders to safeguard the scheme's longer-term sustainability”, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

The comments I made in response to S5T-00336 are consistent with the draft budget.

Following negotiations with the bus industry, we have reached an agreement on reimbursement terms for 2017-18 which is underpinned by the economic model agreed with the industry in 2013. The Statutory Instrument implementing those terms constrains the total cost through a budgetary cap, based on the value of expected claims.

We also need to ensure that the Concessionary Travel Scheme remains sustainable in the longer term, which is why we will be engaging with stakeholders to identify options and undertaking a public consultation later in the year. In doing so, we will be mindful of the need to safeguard the position of existing card holders, ensuring that any changes will not affect those already in possession of bus passes and that we protect those with disabilities.

Question reference: S5W-06279

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the condition of the fleet of ferries owned by the Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and their performance standards, and when individual ferries are due to be renewed.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) a public body are established by the Scottish Ministers to provide safe, reliable, efficient and cost effective vessels for operators, communities and users in and around Scotland. CMAL employ qualified technical staff and it is therefore appropriate for them to undertake assessments and ascertain the condition of the fleet of vessels.

In terms of fleet renewal, the Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan (VR&DP) – Annual Report 2015, published in December 2016, summarises the outputs of work by Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac Ferries Ltd to develop a programme of vessel retentions, cascades, acquisitions and disposals in order to deliver the Ministerial commitments set out in the Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022).

The VR&DP is available on the Transport Scotland website.

The output of the first VR&DP annual report (2014) resulted in the procurement of two new major vessels by CMAL which are currently under construction by Clyde shipbuilder Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd. It also modelled an indicative program for a further 4 new major vessels to replace vessels approaching the end of their working life. Since 2011, 5 new vessels have been introduced to the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service network.

Question reference: S5W-05879

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 25 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a review, or an update provided, of the Arrangements for NHS Patients Receiving Healthcare Services Through Private Healthcare Arrangements guidance, since it was issued on 25 March 2009.

Question reference: S5W-05880

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 25 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has produced on the interface between NHS and private health treatment, and whether it will publish this.

Published guidance is contained within CMO letter 2009/03. The key purpose of the guidance is to provide a framework to support local decisions concerning the possible combination of elements of NHS and private care for individual patients. Decisions regarding the provision of NHS services remain matters for NHS boards; and clinicians remain responsible for clinical decisions regarding the care of individual patients.

Question reference: S5W-05881

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 25 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS boards have policies on dealing with requests from patients to combine NHS and private healthcare.

Question reference: S5W-05950

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the average age of the ScotRail rolling stock.

Over £475 million is being invested over the next few years in ScotRail's rolling stock which will lower the average age of the fleet. This funding, provided through the ScotRail franchise budget, will deliver 234 new carriages when the Hitachi electric class 385 fleet will be gradually introduced over the next 24 months.

It is always important to note that the quality of the train fleet is important, not its age. Good, high quality refurbishment can deliver a passenger experience comparable with new rolling stock.

Question reference: S5W-06073

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Flybe's decision to cancel its Dundee to Amsterdam service, and when it was first made aware of this decision.

The Scottish Government is very disappointed by Flybe’s decision to withdraw the Dundee-Amsterdam air service. Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd has worked closely with Flybe to seek to resolve the Airline’s operational issues and will continue to work with Flybe and other interested parties in the interests of returning this successful service to Dundee. The Scottish Government was made aware of Flybe’s intention to withdraw the service on 22 December 2016.

Question reference: S5W-05985

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to dual the Usan-Montrose section of the East Coast Main Line, given that it is the only piece of single track left on the line.

Question reference: S5W-05986

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timetable for improvements to the road junction at Laurencekirk.

Question reference: S5W-05843

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 17 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve cancer survival rates, in light of reports that Scotland's are the worst in western Europe.

Our ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ strategy and the accompanying £100 million investment over five years, serves as a blueprint for the future of cancer services in Scotland, improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, aftercare and ultimately the survival, of people affected by all cancers. The strategy contains a specific aim to close the gap in survival rates between Scotland and the best performing countries in Europe.