- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 November 2020
Submitting member has a registered interest.
-
Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 2 December 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding the RMT’s consultation of its members on industrial action in response to the breakdown of annual pay negotiations earlier in November 2020.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33197 on 2 December 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 November 2020
Submitting member has a registered interest.
-
Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 2 December 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) Transport Scotland officials have had with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding pay negotiations with recognised trade unions for 2021-22.
Answer
Pay negotiations are a matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd. CalMac only provide Transport Scotland officials with updates on process and timing where appropriate. There have been no formal discussions between Ministers or officials with CalMac regarding pay negotiations.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 November 2020
Submitting member has a registered interest.
-
Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of (a) passengers and (b) ferry staff who travelled from local authorities outside Argyll and Bute to use CalMac ferry services since 29 October 2020 (i) from Oban and (ii) between Oban and Castlebay, and how many in each category travelled from local authority areas that are subject to level (A) 1, (B) 2 and (C) 3 COVID-19 restrictions in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not undertaken an assessment on this level of information and does not expect CalMac to ask where customers are travelling to and from. This is similar to in line with other travel operators. It is for individual travellers to ensure they are complying with the restrictions in movements between tiers when travelling to or from our islands.
CalMac port staff and vessel crew are classified as essential workers and therefore it is permissible for them to travel between Local Authority areas that may be subject to tier level 3 or level 4 Covid-19 restrictions.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Friday, 20 November 2020
Submitting member has a registered interest.
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04769 by Jenny Gilruth on 19 November 2020 (Official Report, c.26), whether, in the discussions with the economic and commercial counsellor from the Cuban embassy, the issue of the United States' sanctions was raised and, if so, whether it indicated if it will support calls for the removal of these.
Answer
The impact of US sanctions on the Cuban Economy was highlighted during the meeting but there was no discussion regarding calls for the removal of the sanctions. We consider the US embargo against Cuba to be a counterproductive measure that serves no useful purpose.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 October 2020
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use COVID-19 testing to reduce the impact of quarantining on people with no symptoms, and whether this will be extended to frontline workers.
Answer
Our priorities for testing are guided by scientific, clinical and public health advice from our expert advisory structures.
In October we published the Clinical Review of our testing strategy which set out clear clinical advice on the priorities to be followed – clinical care of patients and responding to symptomatic demand. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-review-of-testing-strategy-october-2020/ .
As capacity builds, and in line with clinical and public health priorities identified, we will continue to review routine weekly testing of asymptomatic groups in a way which focusses on protecting those most vulnerable to the most harm, including those at highest risk of mortality.
There are a number of groups to be considered as part of that process, including NHS and social care frontline staff along with care home visitors, emergency admissions and visiting professionals to care homes.
I will update Parliament later this month about the plans, timescales, test type and test routes for the roll out of asymptomatic testing to these groups.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2020
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, what discussions it had prior to reaching this position with representatives of students and staff at the University of Edinburgh regarding their access to the service while working from home, particularly those who are resident in the area surrounding the Parliament.
Answer
Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered to enter discussions with representatives of and to provide services to students and staff at the University of Edinburgh.
In addition, in order to comply with the Coronavirus Regulations; adhere to Scottish Government guidance on public health measures; and to safely and sustainably ensure the continuation of essential parliamentary business; there has been no public access to the Holyrood Campus since March 2020. Therefore even if the SPCB were empowered to provide services to other organisations, which it is not, staff and students at the University of Edinburgh/their children along with other members of the public do not currently have access to the Holyrood Campus/the creche.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2020
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, what discussions it had prior to its decision with NHS Lothian regarding the possible development of a partnership support service for new parents.
Answer
Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the
SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is
provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s
purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered to enter discussions with NHS
Lothian regarding the possible development of a partnership support service for
new parents.
In addition, in order to comply with the
Coronavirus Regulations; adhere to Scottish Government guidance on public
health measures; and to safely and sustainably ensure the continuation of
essential parliamentary business; there has been no public access to the
Holyrood Campus since March 2020. Therefore even if the SPCB were
empowered to enter discussions with NHS Lothian regarding the possible
development of a partnership support service for new parents, which it is not,
new parents and their children along with other members of the public do not
currently have access to the Holyrood Campus/the creche.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2020
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what information it has regarding how many people will lose their jobs as a result of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session.
Answer
The SPCB are liable to pay redundancy costs as part of bringing this contract to an end. The redundancy costs are off-set by the financial savings for not continuing the contact, and therefore there is no financial penalty for the SPCB.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2020
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, whether it considered, in consultation with the City of Edinburgh Council social work department, the contribution that the service could make to support isolated young parents who are resident in the area surrounding the Parliament.
Answer
Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered to consult with the City of Edinburgh Social Work Department in order to provide or contribute to services to parents who are resident in the area.
In addition, in order to comply with the Coronavirus Regulations; adhere to Scottish Government guidance on public health measures; and to safely and sustainably ensure the continuation of essential parliamentary business there has been no public access to the Holyrood Campus since March 2020. Therefore even if the SPCB were empowered to consult with other organisations to provide or contribute to services, which it is not, parents/their children who are resident in the area along with other members of the public do not currently have access to the Holyrood Campus/the creche.
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2020
-
Current Status:
Answered by Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session.
Answer
Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered or required to enter discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council on its contract for creche services or its decision to terminate the contract.