Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-33422

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 10 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place regarding a successor plan to the 2014 Heart Disease Improvement Plan, and when it will publish a successor plan.

Treating and preventing heart disease is a national clinical priority for Scotland. We continue to implement our Heart Disease Improvement Plan 2014, which sets out the priorities and actions to deliver improved prevention, diagnosis treatment and care for people living with and affected by heart disease in Scotland.

Latest ISD statistics from January 2020 show that the mortality rate for coronary heart disease fell by 32.4% between 2009 and 2018. This decrease in mortality rates show that our strategy for tackling heart disease is delivering important improvements for patients. However, we are determined to continue improvements in this area, and to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Therefore, discussions are already underway with National Advisory Committee on Heart Disease (NACHD) regarding a successor plan to the 2014 Heart Disease Improvement Plan. We aim to publish a successor plan to 2014 Heart Disease Improvement Plan next year.

Question reference: S5W-33420

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 10 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the 2014 Heart Disease Improvement Plan.

Treating and preventing heart disease is a national clinical priority for Scotland. We continue to implement our Heart Disease Improvement Plan 2014, which sets out the priorities and actions to deliver improved prevention, diagnosis treatment and care for people living with and affected by heart disease in Scotland.

Latest ISD statistics from January 2020 show that the mortality rate for coronary heart disease fell by 32.4% between 2009 and 2018. This decrease in mortality rates show that our strategy for tackling heart disease is delivering important improvements for patients. However, we are determined to continue improvements in this area, and to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Therefore, discussions are already underway with National Advisory Committee on Heart Disease (NACHD) regarding a successor plan to the 2014 Heart Disease Improvement Plan. We aim to publish a successor plan to 2014 Heart Disease Improvement Plan next year.

Question reference: S5O-04838

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 December 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the potential economic impact will be on rural and island economies of rewilding measures.

Question reference: S5W-32884

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering proposals such as a period of (a) free bus journeys for all, (b) off-peak rail travel all day and (c) free train travel at weekends to encourage people back into the habit of using transport services.

Supporting the resurgence of a vibrant public transport network will be a vital step in the COVID recovery. While physical distancing remains in place capacity will continue to be restricted, and the higher Tiers of the Strategic Framework discourage unnecessary use of public transport. Once the pandemic has passed, encouraging a return to public transport will be a key component of the economic recovery, and a key way to help achieve climate change targets. Over the coming months we will be exploring a range of options for the future of all modes of public transport.

Question reference: S5O-04793

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on Scotland might be of the UK health secretary not ruling out mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, and to what extent it considers that such a position could be exploited by conspiracy theorists and so-called anti-vaxxers.

Question reference: S5O-04774

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 November 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of Brexit will be on the road haulage and logistics sector.

Question reference: S5W-32754

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, to help alleviate the reported parking problems in the town, what consideration it has given to the feasibility of building a new railway station with park and ride facilities at Largs Yacht Haven as part of its £24 billion infrastructure investment plan.

Investment decisions must be founded on robust evidence. There is an ongoing process to identify future transport investment, that is the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. During the option generation process, an option for a new station at Largs Marina has been proposed. This will now be subject to consideration and appraisal, along with other options for the Ayrshire and Arran Region. STPR2 is due to be concluded in Autumn 2021.

Question reference: S5W-33019

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2020
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it still plans to return Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the private sector.

Since the Scottish Government bought Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) in 2013, we have been clear that it is our intention to return the business to the private sector when the time is right. The senior management team at GPA has continued to engage with potential buyers and investors to discuss proposals for developing the business under new ownership.

Good progress continues to be made by GPA to increase revenue; deliver operating efficiencies; and pursue exciting opportunities for the future. In light of that progress, GPA will shortly place a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union inviting expressions of interest in GPA. Any proposals submitted as a result of the notice would be considered carefully before any decision was taken to divest our shareholding in GPA or any part of it. We will provide an update to Parliament should any credible expressions of interest be received, while respecting the need to maintain confidentiality for commercial reasons.

Question reference: S5O-04708

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that flu vaccines are available for those who need them.

Question reference: S5F-04496

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 October 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 October 2020

To ask the First Minister what her response is to the report by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and Barnardo's Scotland, which confirms that child sexual exploitation is happening in island, rural and urban communities across the country, with cases being reported in 27 out of 32 local authority areas.

Chamber and committees