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: S5W-07766

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06950 by Humza Yousaf on 22 February 2017, what its position is on the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill 2016-17 and imposing prison sentences on people in Scotland who are convicted of shining lasers at aircraft.

Question reference: S5W-07767

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 13 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what agreements it has in place with the private sector to provide digital skills training opportunities.

This includes the creation of CodeClan; Scotland’s first industry-led digital skills academy. Codeclan offers students an intensive 16 week training programme with direct access to employers and an opportunity to attain a professional developmental qualification at SCQF level eight. Another example is ‘Digitalboost’ our National Digital Engagement Programme. ‘Digitalboost’ offers training services for small to medium enterprises to help develop their technical ability through channels such as online guides, webinars, workshops and one-to-one specialist support.

Question reference: S5W-07320

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 9 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the two multi-trade shared apprenticeship schemes in the construction sector are enough to meet the long-term needs of the sector.

The shared apprenticeship models were set up as pilot projects. One of the key criteria was to generate additional apprenticeships above contracted numbers and not displace planned recruitment.

The aim was to assess the effectiveness of this model in supporting small and micro businesses to employ apprentices and sustainability of employment after the apprenticeship is completed and not to specifically address the long term needs of the sector.

The two shared apprenticeship pilots will therefore be evaluated to assess how effective they were before considering any further pilots or expansion.

Question reference: S5W-07319

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 9 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what it does to support shared apprenticeship schemes in the construction sector in line with its Skills Investment Plan.

Question reference: S5W-07318

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 9 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that contractors are (a) recruiting or (b) planning to recruit enough apprentices or trainees to meet future workforce demand.

The Construction Skills Network Report published this month forecasts that industry will need 12,000 new construction workers in Scotland over the next five years to meet demand.

To meet this predicted demand, SDS are funding high numbers of quality MAs in Construction. These are available across all of the construction sector, and at all levels including technical and professional roles.

In 2015-16 SDS funded 4,894 MA starts in construction and related occupations – approx 19 % of the total of all MA starts.

SDS has recently published 2016-17 quarter three statistics for Modern Apprenticeships which show an increase in the level of Construction starts compared to the same point last year.

As at the end of quarter 3 2016-17, there have been 4,655 starts compared to 4,252 at the end of quarter 3 2015-16.

Question reference: S5O-00735

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the consultation on reforms to its named persons scheme has been described by one group as a “sham”.

Question reference: S5W-06885

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06319 by Michael Matheson on 27 January 2017, how much was spent on each drink drive awareness campaign in each year since 2011.

Question reference: S5W-06887

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 28 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00637 by Keith Brown on 2 February 2017, what (a) its position is on whether opening up trade with emerging markets would be a catalyst toward its target for export growth and (b) action it is taking in light of the reported 9.6% in international exports by small businesses in 2015.

As highlighted in the Scottish Government’s Trade and Investment strategy, Scotland’s export base needs to broaden beyond EU markets. Scottish Development International (SDI) works closely with a range of overseas partners to identify and deliver international opportunities in growth sectors and emerging markets.

Our Trade and Investment Strategy contains a comprehensive action plan aimed at boosting our exporting performance. We are working with SDI and other partners to accelerate delivery of those actions alongside the four point plan announced by the First Minister last October. This includes establishment of a Trade Board supporting our new trade and investment hubs, planned network of trade envoys and proposed local export partnership pilots which will support more SMEs to export.

We are also, through our funding for the Digital Boost initiative, developing the awareness of Scotland’s small businesses of the benefits of e-commerce and online trading, and increasing their ability to identify new customers and export markets.

Question reference: S5W-06709

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 24 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report, HMP & YOI Cornton Vale Review Inspection 11-13 October 2016, regarding the conditions for female inmates, and how it will implement the recommendations.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) welcomes the report on HMP & YOI Cornton Vale and the Chief Inspectors’ recognition that everyone in the establishment works diligently, with purpose and focus, to achieve the best possible outcomes for the women who remain there.

HMIPS made no formal recommendations. SPS will continue to improve both the accommodation and services available to women.

Question reference: S5W-06683

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the observations of the High Court of Appeal in the appeal of Wood v HMA, whether it plans to the review the (a) legislation and (b) guidelines on sentencing for people convicted of making or being in possession of indecent images of children.

The Scottish Government will consider carefully the issues raised by the judgment to determine whether changes are required to the legislation concerning the circumstances in which a court can impose an extended sentence on an offender.

In addition to the High Court, responsibility for proposing sentencing guidelines rests with the independent Scottish Sentencing Council. The Scottish Ministers have no power to issue guidelines nor amend or update existing guidelines.