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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-06872

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to enhance provision of specialist services for adults with brain injuries.

It is the role of Scottish Government to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the assessed needs of their local populations. Within this context, the provision of specialist services for adults with brain injuries is the responsibility of local Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.

Additionally, in 2015 we provided a £40,000 grant to NHS Lothian to support a pilot project, designed by the Scottish Acquired Brain Injury Network, which aims to ensure that all admitted head injured patients will be cared for by neuroscience clinicians in a dedicated multidisciplinary service. This pilot has now come to an end and we look forward to receiving a final evaluation of the project in due course.

Question reference: S5W-06863

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 27 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support hill farmers.

Hill farming is an important part of our rural landscape and I value very highly the contribution that our Scotland's farmers and crofters make in these remote and challenging areas. I am also very aware of the fragile state of hill farming economics which is why I recently announced my intention to hold two hill farming summits

Support to hill farmers is given a high priority under pillar two of the CAP to ensure it remains sustainable for future generations. Over £65.5million is paid annually through the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) to provide vital support to around 11,500 farmers and crofters who operate in rural and remote areas of Scotland. Unlike the UK Government, who has ended their equivalent scheme, we have committed to continue it in Scotland. The importance of this support is why I am seeking confirmation from the UK Government that they will guarantee these payments for applications in 2019. Further to LFASS, hill farmers can access support through a number of other SRDP schemes.

Hill farmers are also supported through the Basic Payment Scheme, Greening Payment, and provided they meet scheme requirements, the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands) and /or the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme, all under pillar one of the CAP.

Question reference: S5W-06868

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 24 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure access to LGBTI+ support services in (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) rural areas.

The Scottish Government has maintained its Equality Budget at £20.3 million for eight consecutive years. The Equality Budget is an important resource in advancing equality as it provides support for activity and interventions to improve the outcomes for people and communities across Scotland. In 2016-17, the Scottish Government provided over £850,000 of funding to LGBT organisations across Scotland. This included resource for LGBT Youth Scotland to provide local development networks and support for National Youth Council members in Dumfries, and funding for the Equality Network to provide one-to-one capacity building support for LGBTI community groups in rural and other areas across Scotland. In recognition of the challenges annual funding cycles present to third sector organisations, three year rolling funding will be introduced under the Equality Budget for 2017-20.

Question reference: S5W-06866

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many days the A7 has been the subject of road closures in the last 12 months.

There have been 13 overnight closures, 2 daytime weekend closures, 1 evening closure and 1 continuous closure on the A7 Trunk Road during the last 12 months due to roadworks carried out by our Operating Company.

In addition the road may also have been closed for short periods of time by Police Scotland to allow them to attend to road traffic accidents and any subsequent follow up actions required.

Question reference: S5W-06865

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many days in each of the last three years have temporary traffic lights been in operation on the A76.

Question reference: S5W-06861

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of water charges on small community halls and buildings.

The Scottish Government recognises that small community halls and buildings are essential to the vibrancy of Scotland’s small communities. Where these community halls are registered as charities with the Office for the Scottish Charity Regulator, have incomes of less than £200,000 and don’t operate retail facilities, then they are eligible for full exemption on their water charges. Eligible charities must apply annually for their exemption from their Licensed Provider.

Question reference: S5W-06867

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 17 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of the term "dyslexic tendencies" in the diagnosis of dyslexia in schools.

The Scottish Government, Dyslexia Scotland and the Cross Party Group on dyslexia in the Scottish Parliament have developed a working definition of dyslexia, which is available through the online ‘Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit’ at http://www.addressingdyslexia.org/pages/index.php?cateogry=10; and this should be used in the identification of dyslexia.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, (as amended) provides a comprehensive legal framework for the provision of additional, targeted support for children and young people who have barriers to learning; this includes dyslexia.

It is the responsibility of all who work with children to respond appropriately to their needs. Recognising early signs of difficulties and adapting learning and teaching approaches are a regular part of the daily routine for all children in an education environment. For those who have additional support needs such as those arising from dyslexia, it is important that these needs are met in the best possible way by accurate and timely identification.

Question reference: S5O-00691

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding engagement with local communities on proposed regeneration plans for the Whitesands in Dumfries.

Question reference: S5W-06869

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 9 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions the proposed Wild Fisheries Bill will make for haff-netters.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our famous and valuable wild fisheries, to modernise our fishery management structures and to establish a more secure and sustainable future for this vital sector. In this Parliamentary term we intend to take forward a Wild Fisheries Bill that will build on our significant conservation achievements to date. The draft Bill provisions that we consulted on last year explicitly retain haaf netting, certified fixed engines, and cruives as lawful methods of fishing.

We will continue discussions about the designation of haaf netting as a heritage fishery, and we will look to progress that in our wider consideration of the planned Wild Fisheries Bill.

Question reference: S5O-00627

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 1 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support rural halls and community spaces.