- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects ScotRail to complete repairs to the indoor shelter on platform 1 at Irvine Train Station, and how many days the shelter has been out of use.
Answer
Network Rail advised that some of the required repairs to the indoor shelter on platform one at Irvine railway station have already been completed. Network Rail expects to complete the final repairs in the next four weeks, depending on the agreement of a suitable time to interrupt the operations of trains through the station to undertake the works safely.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many times Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has time chartered the MV Arrow for service on publicly-contracted ferry routes in Scotland from January 2012 to date, and what the (a) duration and (b) cost was of the time charter in each instance.
Answer
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) have never chartered the MV Arrow, which is owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Any charter has been between the publicly funded ferry operator and the owner of the vessel.
The following table details, from January 2012, when either CalMac Ferries Ltd or Serco NorthLink Ferries have chartered the MV Arrow.
Operator | Network * | Period of Charter |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 18-10-14 to 12-11-14 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 02-11-17 to 12-11-17 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 22-11-17 to 30-11-17 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 18-01-18 to 19-02-18 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 14-09-18 to 07-10-18 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 14-10-18 to 07-11-18 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 31-10-19 to 23-11-19 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 13-01-20 to 26-01-20 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 16-06-20 to 25-06-20 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 10-05-22 to 24-05-22 |
Serco NorthLink | NIFS | 07-11-22 to 28-11-22 |
CalMac Ferries | CHFS | 16-07-21 to 09-09-21 |
CalMac Ferries | CHFS | 01-11-21 to 13-11-21 |
CalMac Ferries | CHFS | 14-01-23 to 15-03-23 |
| |
* | CHFS – Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services NIFS – Northern Isles Ferry Services |
The cost of any charter is commercial in confidence between the respective ferry operator and owner of the MV Arrow.
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the (a) licensing and (b) operation of hydrogen-fuelled (i) ferries and (ii) crew transfer vessels from ports in Scotland.
Answer
Transport Scotland officials have been in discussions with UK Government officials regarding regulatory and legislative requirements for a range of future vessel technologies and fuels, including hydrogen. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for shipping regulations in UK waters, to ensure that vessels are meeting UK and international safety rules, promoting and enforcing compliance with maritime regulations and best practice, and making sure that legislation is proportionate.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of international students currently living in (a) student, (b) private rented and (c) social rented accommodation.
Answer
For academic year 2021-2022, which is the most recent data we hold, 22,635 international students were residing in student accommodation (university halls and private purpose-built student accommodation) and 29,090 in other rented accommodation. We do not hold information specifically in relation to private rented or social rented accommodation.
International Enrolments at Scottish Universities by Accommodation Type, 2021-22
Accommodation Type | EU | Non-EU | Total International |
Provider maintained property | 2,690 | 11,970 | 14,660 |
Private-sector halls | 1,445 | 6,530 | 7,975 |
Parental/guardian home | 1,010 | 3,890 | 4,900 |
Other rented accommodation | 6,180 | 22,910 | 29,090 |
Own residence | 3,205 | 8,380 | 11,585 |
Other | 1,160 | 5,480 | 6,640 |
Not in attendance at the provider | 245 | 435 | 680 |
Not known | 1,205 | 5,705 | 6,910 |
Total | 17,140 | 65,300 | 82,440 |
Source: HESA Student data
Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the funds that it has committed under the loss and damage scheme are being used to support prevention and adaptation measures in relation to climate damage.
Answer
Actions on loss and damage can either avert, minimise or address loss and damage; meaning we can prevent climate impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the severity of climate impacts through adaptative measures or remedy the harm that has been caused. The Scottish Government funding on loss and damage is focused on the latter, that is, addressing the losses and damages by remedying the harm that communities are suffering.
The Scottish Government funding is focused on addressing loss and damage because partner countries have continually stressed that this is an underfunded and underacknowledged area. But our funding also, in addition, lessens future potential impacts. For example following the devastating impacts of Storm Ana and Cyclone Gombe in Malawi, the Scottish Government’s funding has supported the training of 155 artisans in the construction of safer housing using low to medium cost materials. It is expected that, with the advanced knowledge and skill, the artisans will support community members to construct more resilient homes, better able to withstand future climate shocks.
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the remit of the external review of NHS Grampian procurement practices by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in December 2022.
Answer
As set out in the Chamber on 15 Dec, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was asked to undertake a high-level review of a specific procurement exercise carried out by NHS Grampian.
The Board was asked:
- On the basis of having appropriate NHS procurement expertise and having not been involved in the procurement exercise being reviewed.
- To consider if the overall process was conducted in accordance with NHS procurement procedures, including documentation, scoring and selection.
The review has since completed and been shared with the Member. The review found that the exercise was conducted in a compliant manner.
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of lung cancer nurse specialists who will retire in the next five years in (a) the West of Scotland Cancer Network, (b) the North Cancer Alliance, (c) the South East Scotland Cancer Network and (d) Scotland.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15447 on 15 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Scottish Government has regarding the cost of rail fares from March 2023, following the end of the rail fares freeze that was announced by the First Minister on 6 September 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government has a strong record of maintaining lower rail fares compared to the rest of the UK, with our commitment to this shown by the rail fares freeze in our recent Programme for Government.
The decision was taken last year to freeze ScotRail fares to the end of March 2023 to support rail users during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
I am currently considering future fare options noting the current challenging fiscal climate facing rail passengers and funders.
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will begin taking evidence in relation to its external review of NHS Grampian procurement practices.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15454 on 15 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the current vacancy rate is for lung cancer nurse specialists within the (a) West of Scotland Cancer Network, (b) North Cancer Alliance and (c) South East Scotland Cancer Network.
Answer
The information requested on what the current vacancy rate is for lung cancer nurse specialists within the (a) West of Scotland Cancer Network, (b) North Cancer Alliance and (c) South East Scotland Cancer Network is not centrally available.