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-02084

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 August 2011
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 5 August 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Registrar General will publish his annual report for 2010.

Scotland’s Population 2010: the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends is published today. The report contains information about births, deaths and marriages during the year, together with other demographic information. A copy of the report is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52980), or from the Registrar General’s website at www.gro-scotland.gov.uk.

Question reference: S4O-00089

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions are available to local authorities in cases of antisocial behaviour by tenants of private landlords.

Question reference: S3W-38630

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 January 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 28 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what companies or other organisations it (a) wholly owns, (b) partially owns only with other public authorities listed in Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and (c) partially owns with organisations or individuals not listed in Schedule 1 to the Act.

(a) Companies in which the Scottish Ministers are the sole shareholder and companies limited by guarantee established solely by the Scottish Ministers are as follows:

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd;

David MacBrayne Ltd;

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd;

Scottish Futures Trust Ltd;

Architecture and Design Scotland Ltd;

Learning and Teaching Scotland Ltd;

Skills Development Scotland Company Ltd.

(b) The Scottish Ministers are not joint shareholders in any company, and have not established any company limited by guarantee, together with other Scottish public authorities listed in Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOI(S)A).

(c) Companies in which the Scottish Ministers are joint shareholders, or companies limited by guarantee that have been established jointly by the Scottish Ministers, together with organisations not listed in Schedule 1 to the FOI(S)A are as follows:

Partnerships UK Ltd;

Student Loans Company Ltd;

Energy Saving Trust Ltd;

Carbon Trust.

Question reference: S3W-38852

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 January 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 27 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the disposal of assets from local authorities to community groups or trusts.

It is for local authorities as independent corporate bodies to decide whether to dispose of their assets to community groups or trusts. However, the Scottish Government recognises, that in the right circumstances, community asset ownership can be a powerful way for communities to develop and become more empowered. For that reason, we have invested £250,000 in a programme run by the Development Trust Association Scotland which aims to learn from and promote good practice in transferring assets from local authorities to community groups.

Question reference: S3W-38853

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 January 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 27 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is able to assist community groups or trusts that wish to acquire assets from local authorities.

It is for local authorities as independent corporate bodies to decide whether they dispose of their assets to community groups or trusts. New Regulations were introduced on 1 June 2010 simplifying the procedures local authorities must follow when considering a disposal at less than best consideration.

The Scottish Government supports local authorities making local decisions to meet the needs and priorities of their local communities. It also recognises that, in the right circumstances, community asset ownership can be a powerful way for communities to develop and become more empowered. For that reason, we have invested £250,000 in a programme run by the Development Trust Association Scotland which aims to learn from and promote good practice in transferring assets from local authorities to community groups. Six good practice seminars aimed specifically at community groups and trusts have been run as part of that programme.

Question reference: S3W-38823

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 January 2011
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 26 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to inventors in relation to marketing their inventions.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of innovation as a key driver of long-term sustainable economic growth. Our focus is on creating a flexible, supportive business environment and we look to our enterprise agencies to deliver support for Scottish businesses and inventors, including help in the marketing of new inventions.

The principle support for individual inventors is delivered through the Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government. This free confidential service provides specialist advice to inventors and small companies on how to develop and protect their inventions. This includes identifying markets, routes to market and introductions to marketing and design experts and potential buyers. This service currently helps over 1,000 inventors a year and over the last two years helped inventors develop over 215 products.

Our enterprise agencies and business gateway provide a wide range of support to companies for the development of competitive products and services. For example, through Scottish Enterprise''s Winning Through Innovation seminars and workshops, innovators receive guidance on developing and launching new products and services. These workshops cover the complete process of developing a product from the initial research stage through to marketing and sales.

Question reference: S3O-12605

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 January 2011
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 13 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when the next meeting of the Audiology Services Advisory Group will be held.

Question reference: S3W-38396

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 15 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consult on a draft Bill on self-directed support.

Question reference: S3W-37035

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2010
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 19 November 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities fund an in-house money advice service.

Question reference: S3W-37036

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2010
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 19 November 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities give grant funding to Citizens Advice Bureaux in their areas.