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-19109

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 29 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the reasons for any differences between NHS boards in the uptake rates for breast screening.

There are two reports on breast screening uptake available on the ISD website, the most recent being up to 2012 data that was published in 2013 - see http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Breast-Screening/ .

The main identified reason for differences in uptake in breast screening relates to socio-economic class. Uptake of breast screening between 2003 and 2012 has been about 17-18% lower in women who live in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared with those who live in the least deprived areas. This is why we are investing up to £5m of funding from the Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' 2016 to reduce inequalities, raise awareness and improve uptake in screening, particularly amongst those less likely to participate. As part of this work, we are establishing a network, involving clinical and academic experts from across Scotland as well as third sector organisations to identify new activities and learn from local practice and innovation, to improve participation in screening programmes.

Question reference: S5W-19110

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 29 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage more women to attend breast screening appointments.

The Detect Cancer Early (DCE) Programme aims to increase the proportion of bowel, breast and lung cancers detected at an early stage. The Programme specifically targets those from areas of deprivation who are less likely to take part in screening and more likely to present at a late stage. A new DCE campaign – Survivors - was launched in September to reduce fear of cancer and remind people of the importance of acting early, whether they’re worried about a potential symptom or invited for screening. The TV advert – which is on screens for six weeks – includes a woman receiving a mammogram to address a key barrier to participation and help normalise the test.

In addition, we are investing up to £5m of funding from the Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' 2016 to reduce inequalities, raise awareness and improve uptake in screening, particularly amongst those less likely to participate.

Question reference: S5W-18991

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many paramedics were working for the Scottish Ambulance Service at the start of each financial year since 2015-16, and, in each of these years, how many (a) have resigned or retired and (b) newly trained paramedics have entered the service.

Question reference: S5W-18706

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all curlew breeding sites of international importance are classified as special protection areas.

Criteria for the selection of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are set out in the UK SPA Selection Guidelines which are published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and available via the following web link http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1405 . Following the third UK Special Protection Area Network Review and the completion of data collection, the UK SPA Selection Guidelines will be applied to identify any potential new special protection areas in Scotland for breeding curlew.

Question reference: S5W-18705

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 26 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to ensure that new afforestation proposals do not adversely affect curlews.

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is the Scottish Government’s forestry advisor and regulator and as such provides advice and guidance to land managers seeking to establish new forestry.

FCS recognises the importance of protecting the nesting habitat of curlew and the potential impact that new forestry may have, and has raised the profile of this species with all the FCS regional offices.

There is no curlew-specific advice or guidance currently provided by FCS. However FCS provides more generic guidance on safeguarding protected bird species, and applies this guidance to nesting curlew. FCS then works with the applicant on the assessment, interpretation and how the planting design could be developed so that the impact on birds and other aspects of the environment are acceptable.

The majority of woodland creation projects apply for financial support under the Forestry Grant Scheme. The scheme’s application process requires surveys and environmental information to be submitted where vulnerable species such as curlew are present or may be affected. In these cases FCS advise the land owner to seek advice from SNH and RSPB and to modify the planting scheme as appropriate, for example by reducing the scope for planting.

Question reference: S5W-18719

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the £118 million announced by November 2001 for the Scottish Bus Group pension fund, whether any further payments have been made to former bus workers; how much remains in the fund, and how any funds not paid to workers have been spent.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-04592 on 5 October 2007. 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 .

The Scottish Government continues to make ex-gratia payments to eligible former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes as claims are made. The response to Parliamentary Question S3W-04592 on 5 October 2007 explained that, at that time, £135,000 remained to be distributed. Since October 2007, a further 13 payments totalling £50,618.58 have been made leaving £84,381.42. The remaining funds have been reserved for distribution to identified eligible former pension scheme members.

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 .

Question reference: S5W-18623

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 24 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether the application round for the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) will be opened in 2019 and 2020 in order to secure funding that will benefit vulnerable farmland species, such as the curlew.

No decision has yet been taken, partly due to a lack of complete clarity from the UK Government in terms of longer term funding guarantees following Brexit. However, I fully recognise that land managers want to know as soon as possible whether a further AECS round will take place so that they can prepare applications in good time. I am therefore reviewing options in light of the latest information on HM Treasury funding guarantees, and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

Question reference: S5O-02386

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 20 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the use of rock armour to prevent erosion of beaches, and when and for what reason it took this position.

The Scottish Government supports the use of rock armour in appropriate locations as one of a range of techniques to manage coastal erosion.

This is a longstanding position, which accepts that in certain circumstances the protection of coastal assets is necessary and in the public and private interest. However, there are locations and times where the use of hard defences may not be in the long-term interest of sustainable coastal management.

Question reference: S5O-02403

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential for developing steam train tourism on the east coast.

Question reference: S5W-18624

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide appropriate agri-environment measures to support farmers and land managers carrying out conservation action for the curlew.

The Scottish Government is working hard to meet the targets set out in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy through a range of actions including through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Specific support for agri-environment is available through the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-20 (SRDP). The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is providing significant funding support across Scotland for the management of farmland birds and other species targeting in particular vulnerable species. In particular it provides support for habitat management for wader species, including curlew.

Since 2015, more than 2,220 contracts supporting habitat management for waders have been approved under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), with that number expected to increase once the 2018 round has been completed.

In addition, the Farm Advisory Service under the SRDP provides a range of assistance including one-to-one business support services including bespoke specialist advice on biodiversity and habitats.