Chamber and committees

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: S4W-23780

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the operation of the Justice Board would be enhanced by having members drawn from civic society.

The work of the Justice Board is supported by the Justice Leaders Network.

The Justice Leaders Network brings together partners and stakeholders from across the justice system and related sectors to support the delivery of The Strategy for Justice in Scotland. This is an opportunity to involve a broader range of justice organisations and interests not represented on the Justice Board, including representatives of the public, academic and third sector organisations.

Question reference: S4W-23625

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 18 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a pilot of screening and treating inmates with hepatitis C in Scottish Prison Service facilities in light of new treatment regimens with reported cure rates in excess of 90% with a 12 or eight week treatment period.

The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework recognises the importance of ensuring prisoners in Scotland can access hepatitis C treatment. Around 10% of all new treatment initiations in Scotland every year are amongst those in prison.

In May 2012, the Scottish Prison Service published a report of a study carried out by the University of the West of Scotland and others, Hepatitis C Prevalence and Incidence amongst Scottish Prisoners and Staff Views of its Management. The report found that health indicators including hepatitis C testing and treatment were all higher or similar to coverage achieved in the community.

In 2013, a total of 578 prisoners in prisons within Scotland’s four largest NHS board areas were tested for hepatitis C, and in 2013-14 a total of 141 prisoners within all Scottish prisons were initiated on hepatitis C treatment.

Question reference: S4W-23624

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 18 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether the revised Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework to be published in 2015 will introduce opt-out testing and screening of prisoners on commencement of their custodial sentences.

Question reference: S4O-03860

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government when stage 2 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill will commence.

Question reference: S4O-03810

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 10 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting town centre regeneration in Dumfries and Galloway.

Question reference: S4W-23430

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what actions a local authority can take when a person does not adhere to the conditions of a planning permission.

Local authorities have the discretion to decide how, and whether, to take action when it comes to light that planning conditions are not or have not been adhered to.

The Scottish Government planning guidance as set out in Planning Circular 10/2009: Planning Enforcement, is that an informal resolution of any breach of planning control should be considered in the first instance. Depending on the circumstances, planning authorities also have formal powers to require a breach of control to be corrected, prohibit the carrying out of activities, require compliance with conditions, apply for an interdict to restrain breaches of control, or require abatement of activities that are adversely affecting the amenity of the area.

Any action taken has to be appropriate to the scale and impact of the breach of planning control. It is for the relevant authority to assess, in each case, which power (or mix of powers) is best suited to dealing with any particular suspected or actual breach of control to achieve a satisfactory, lasting and cost-effective remedy.

Question reference: S4W-23429

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what right of appeal a resident has when a local authority refuses to enforce the conditions of a planning application on a neighbouring property.

Failing to comply with a condition subject to which planning permission has been granted constitutes a breach of planning control.

There is no right of appeal to Scottish Ministers where a planning authority does not take formal enforcement action in any specific case.

It is a matter for the planning authority concerned whether to take enforcement action against such breaches, having regard to the provisions of the development plan and any other material considerations. However, an authority may also decide to take no formal action where they consider it is not in the public interest to do so.

Planning authorities are required to publish an enforcement charter setting out their policy on enforcement issues and detailing how a person who is dissatisfied with their handling of a specific case can complain. It is open to a person to take the matter to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman if they believe there has been maladministration in the planning authority handling of a specific case.

Question reference: S4W-23195

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 26 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides toward the training of HGV drivers.

Professional training of drivers of vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers is a mandatory requirement under EC Directive 2003/59/EC. This seeks to raise the standards of new drivers and to maintain and enhance the professionalism of existing lorry and bus drivers throughout the European Union, through a continuous update of their capabilities.

The Scottish Government does not provide financial support towards the cost of mandatory training. However, we are aware of the difficulties facing the sector as a whole, and are working in partnership with industry stakeholders – such as the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association – on how these can best be addressed.

The Scottish Government recognises that an enthusiastic and trained workforce underpins Scotland's ambition for economic success. Modern apprenticeships support this goal by providing individuals with the opportunity to secure industry recognised qualifications while earning a wage. There are several modern apprenticeship opportunities available within the field of transport, specifically in the area of freight logistics.

Question reference: S4W-23185

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 26 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether any grant support is available to assist homeowners who have responsibility for the upkeep of private roads and pavements.

Question reference: S4W-23161

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 25 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in reopening the Solway cockle fishery.

Following a series of consultative meetings with stakeholders, Marine Scotland has drawn up innovative management measures and these have been recently trialled as part of a cockle management study.

The study was operated by a local contractor and enabled controlled, exclusive fishing activity for a limited period. Unfortunately, in August 2014, the contractor withdrew due to the inconsistent quality of the cockles and low prices available at the time and, as we were unable to reallocate the contract, the study was closed.

Although the study did not run its course, we believe we have gathered enough information to draw conclusions and we are currently analysing our findings. This analysis will help us devise robust proposals for the long term management of the cockle fishery which we will discuss with local stakeholders in due course.

It remains our aim to open the Solway cockle fishery in a safe, controlled and sustainable way which brings economic benefit to the local area. I can assure you that I see this as a priority and will be doing what I can to secure a fully opened fishery as soon as possible, hopefully around September 2015.