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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-07331

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it initially committed toward the development of the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh and how much it expects to spend; what the total capital spend was initially expected to be and how much it expects this spend to be, and how much the hospital will cost over its lifetime.

It was announced as part of the Scottish Government’s budget for 2011-12 that the re-provision of Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences would be delivered using the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) Model. The NPD programme was developed as an alternative to the traditional Private Finance Initiative (PFI) model in Scotland. Under this model, NHS Lothian will pay an annual unitary charge for 25 years rather than an upfront capital payment.

The total capital investment in the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh is expected to be £230 million and that forecast remains accurate. The expected unitary payments of the whole project over the 25 year contract period, which includes lifecycle and maintenance costs, is forecast to be £437.5 million. Further details are published and updated here:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308

Question reference: S5O-00717

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to maintain specialist railway policing expertise within Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government's Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill was published on 8th December, with the objective of paving the way for the integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland.

Police Scotland has confirmed to the Scottish Parliament that its intention would be to maintain a specialist railway policing function within the broader Police Scotland structure. This will retain the skills, knowledge and experience that BTP officers and staff have built and embed railway policing within the wider local, specialist and national resources of Police Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-00695

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 23 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support children with additional support needs when they leave school.

Under the Additional Support for Learning Act, education authorities have duties to work with relevant agencies to plan for the post-school transitions of young people with additional support needs.

The Scottish Government has provided statutory guidance on these duties as part of the code of practice on additional support for learning and has reported to Parliament on the implementation of the Act including on transitions.

86.2% of pupils with additional support needs have a positive destination, this has been an improving picture over time. (85.4% in 2012-13, 82.3% in 2011-2012)

Question reference: S5F-00754

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 January 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 January 2017

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government considers that appropriate resources are in place to support teachers of children with additional support needs.

Question reference: S5O-00553

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how physical education is helping to narrow the attainment gap.

Question reference: S5O-00512

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement the recommendations of the ENABLE Scotland report, #IncludED in the Main?!.

Question reference: S5O-00477

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 14 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses Scotland’s economic performance in comparison with other countries.

The Scottish Government uses the National Performance Framework and Scotland Performs to help monitor and assess Scotland’s overall economic performance.

These contain indicators that assess Scotland’s performance across a number of dimensions of economic performance. They also include several indicators that compare Scotland against our international competitors.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving Scotland’s economic performance in comparison to our international counterparts. Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out our framework for doing so, based on the twin objectives of boosting competitiveness whilst tackling inequality.

Question reference: S5W-04742

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 1 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans to have with (i) Heriot-Watt University and (ii) other third parties regarding (A) the creation of and (B) providing finance and support for a national film studio.

The Scottish Government has regular meetings, as a member of the Film Studio Delivery Group, to discuss how to support and finance enhanced film studio infrastructure for Scotland.

As representatives of the Film Studio Delivery Group, Scottish Enterprise are in discussion with potential investors Guardhouse Productions Ltd. regarding their interest to develop studio facilities in Scotland at Heriot-Watt University.

The Scottish Government has, to date, had no discussions with Heriot-Watt University regarding the creation of, or support for, enhanced film studio infrastructure in Scotland. The Scottish Government remains open to discussions regarding proposals.

Question reference: S5O-00429

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to support a national campaign to raise awareness of disability and reduce stigma, in light of the recent report by Disability Agenda Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-04740

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government which sites have been identified as possible locations for a national film studio.

There are a number of facilities which Creative Scotland actively promote for film production in Scotland – the current list of available premises is set out in the following table:

Studio Space	Location
BBC Studios	Dumbarton
BBC Studios	Pacific Quay
100 Borron Street	Glasgow
Buchanan Business Park	Glasgow
Drampac	Bellshill
Edinburgh Film Studios	Edinburgh
Film City	Glasgow
Film Services Ltd.	Livingston
Pelamis	Edinburgh
Pyramids Business Park	Bathgate
Scottish Opera	Glasgow
The Shed	Glasgow
Skyespace	Isle of Skye
Sugar Sheds	Greenock
SWG3	Glasgow
TCU Studio and Office Facilities	Glasgow
Westway	Renfrew, Glasgow

Our intention to support the expansion of the existing facilities at Wardpark, Cumbernauld, currently home to the successful drama series, Outlander, was announced on 9 March 2016.

The Film Studio Delivery Group (Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise) published a feasibility study and options appraisal for film studios in 2014. The study was refreshed in 2015.

The Scottish Government and its partners remain committed to supporting further private sector-led investment in additional studio developments, as appropriate, to meet the needs of the market.