- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what further financial support it is considering making available to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2020
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 30 September 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the imposition of more restrictive regulations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, what discussions the minister for older people has had with the health secretary regarding allowing families contact with older relatives while in care.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 30 September 2020
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the uses to which the Spaces for People programme has been put since it was established, and whether this includes safety and cost-effectiveness.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2020
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 27 August 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is offering to local authorities to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks among young people in school estates.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 27 August 2020
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a transport company it owns should pressure a witness to withdraw evidence given before a parliamentary committee.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2020
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Ben Macpherson on 2 June 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on digitising the land register that is held by the Registers of Scotland.
Answer
This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that as of the end of April 2020 RoS have registered 39.3% of land mass on the digital land register which equates to an estimated 68.4% of titles.
The published Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is to achieve 50% of land mass on the register by end March 2021 and RoS considered they were on target to achieve that pre Covid 19. Work is ongoing to fully assess the impact on Covid 19 on all of RoS strategic objectives including land register completion.
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 May 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on developing a safe operating protocol that would allow the recommencement of the property transaction process, in light of the resumption of this in England.
Answer
The health and safety of the people of Scotland is our top priority. The Scottish Government published guidance on moving home during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak on 31 March: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-moving-home/ . This guidance permits only home moves that are reasonably necessary.
A relaxation of restrictions on home moves is anticipated in phase 2 of the recovery plan, as set out in Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis , published on 21 May. A specific date is not given for the start of phase 2. If the virus remains suppressed, and the evidence allows us to do so, then gradually, more restrictions will be removed.
During phase 1, preparations can be made for the safe reopening of the housing market.
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 27 May 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to proposals to allow for the clearing of a backlog of home reports required to support housing transactions in progress.
Answer
Most housing transactions in progress are likely to have been brought to the market with valid Home Reports before 23 March lockdown. Providing a property has not been withdrawn from the market for a period exceeding four weeks, the Home Report will remain valid until the property is sold.
For any housing transactions commenced during lockdown and for those properties which will be brought to market after lockdown, a Home Report will be required. A feature of the housing market restart could mean an increased demand for Home Reports and pressure on surveyors to carry them out timeously.
My officials are discussing with industry and other stakeholders the safe reopening of the housing market and how this can be achieved in line with Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, published on 21 May. Part of this will include the potential level of demand for surveyors to carry out Home Reports.
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 April 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 April 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns regarding restrictions on freedom of movement and the
policing of this, including for those visiting vulnerable people who may
require support, care or assistance due to issues such as mental health, what
account Police Scotland is taking of such issues, and what guidance it has
given to Police Scotland for officers when dealing on a face-to-face basis with
members of the public who are (a) themselves vulnerable and (b) supporting
or providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person.
Answer
Police Scotland is playing a key role in the fight against Covid-19 by ensuring individuals comply with the advice from government and the health service on social distancing to stop the spread of the pandemic, protect the NHS and save lives.
Scottish Government guidance on social distancing sets out the essential reasons why individuals may need to leave their home and this includes to provide care or to help a vulnerable person. Police Scotland has developed operational guidance and provided training and direction to front line officers for dealing with people face to face and this is reviewed regularly to take account of changes to legislation or Scottish Government guidance. The Service is engaging nationally and locally during this time with partners, particularly those representing vulnerable, minority and disabled communities to identify and address any emerging community tensions or vulnerabilities at an early stage and has produced additional guidance to assist officers when engaging people with vulnerable people. This ensures a consistent approach, whilst maintaining dignity, freedom and safety for the individuals concerned.
- Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 March 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 9 April 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, what its response is to reports that Airbnb and other similar businesses are continuing to list properties for rent, and what measures it has put in place to ensure that such businesses comply with its guidance.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s top priority is the health and safety of the people of Scotland. Regulations are now in force requiring anyone carrying on a business providing holiday accommodation to cease carrying on that business. The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 came into force on 26 March 2020. Regulation 4 requires providers of holiday accommodation to cease carrying on with their business during the emergency period, subject to very limited exceptions. Police officers have powers to enforce these regulations.