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: S3W-18267

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 November 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide further information on its intentions for the Scottish Science and Language Baccalaureates.

Today I am announcing that the specifications for the Scottish Science and Language Baccalaureates will be as follows:

Both the Baccalaureates will comprise two Advanced Higher courses, one Higher course and an Interdisciplinary Project, which will comprise 80 hours of study at Advanced Higher level. Copies of the specification are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47002). A Distinction will require A in one Advanced Higher, one other A in any component and at least B in all other components.

This announcement follows discussions between the Scottish Government and SQA who have been engaging with representatives from schools, college, HE and business sectors on the proposed specification for the Baccalaureates since June. SQA have taken account of feedback from these key stakeholders and have recommended a revised specification for these awards. Last week I met with SQA and agreed the specification for the award.

The aims of the Baccalaureates as initially announced on the 5 June are to encourage uptake in science and language courses in the upper secondary school; raise the status of S6 and motivate learners in their last year of school; assist young people in making the transition from school to further and higher education (FE/HE) and employment, and encourage collaboration between schools and FE/HE institutions.

This is an exciting development, which I believe will be challenging and rewarding for both pupils and teachers.

Question reference: S3W-17960

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 26 November 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Scotland were charged under section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 for documentation offences in each year since 2005; how many of these were (a) found guilty and (b) given custodial sentences, and what impact this has had on police operations.

Question reference: S3W-17959

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 26 November 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults in Scotland were charged under section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 for documentation offences in each year since 2005; how many of these were (a) found guilty and (b) given custodial sentences, and what impact this has had on police operations.

Question reference: S3W-17977

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 November 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the UK Government’s proposed right to request time off to train will apply to employees in Scotland.

I am pleased to announce that I have written to John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills to signal my support for the proposal to give employees a legal right to request time off to train and to formally request that the proposed legislation is drafted to cover Scotland.

The Scottish Government recently consulted on extending the UK Government''s proposal for a right to request time off to train to employees in Scotland. 93% of respondents, including employers, trade unions and business organisations, supported this despite the challenges of the current economic climate.

Companies who continue to develop the skills of their employees through the challenging times ahead will reap the benefits of this when the economy changes gear. Investing in skills is vital for economic recovery and our support for the proposed right to request time to train aligns with our economic recovery plan. However, aware of the pressures facing businesses in these tough times, I will ensure that appropriate support measures are in place for employers in Scotland if this right is enshrined in employment legislation.

To support employers - particularly small businesses - with the introduction of this right, Skills Development Scotland will establish a dedicated helpline, providing access to expert advisers to help employers assess the skills needs of their business and other training issues.

We will work with trade unions and business organisations to develop guidance for employees and employers on using the new legislation if and when it is introduced.

Question reference: S3O-04942

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 November 2008
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 20 November 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support small businesses through the credit crunch.

The purpose of the Scottish Government is to increase sustainable economic growth. The changing economic climate has further increased the importance of ensuring that the right advice and support is readily available to firms. The actions we are taking under our Scottish Government economic recovery plan will help enable more business growth/start-ups “ especially important in the current economic climate.

For example, we are working to make the planning system an aid, not a barrier to economic growth; have developed an online portal to help small and medium-sized business access, and bid for government contracts, and aspire to the 10 day target of paying the bills of small businesses.

Business rates account for a higher proportion of costs for small businesses than they do for larger businesses, so reductions in business rates for smaller firms simply remove an element of competitive disadvantage that they suffer. We have already introduced measures to reduce business rates for our smallest businesses through the Small Business Bonus Scheme, which is benefiting tens of thousands of Scottish businesses.

In addition, firms across Scotland can access advice on cash flow and business efficiency issues from the Business Gateway website and where appropriate, direct from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Question reference: S3W-17815

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2008
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what resources it has so far committed to the Calman Commission; from which budget these resources are funded; what additional calls on its budget are anticipated from the commission, and how it ensures best value from the resources committed.

Question reference: S3W-16167

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 September 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken following the publication of the Audit Scotland report, Improving the school estate.

The Scottish Government has discussed this report with COSLA as most of the recommendations were addressed to local authorities, or jointly to the Scottish Government and local authorities. We accept the recommendations of the report in full. A joint Scottish Government and COSLA working group, including representation from the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, has been established to consider how the actions recommended in the report should best be taken forward. Discussions regarding future policy, funding and delivery have already commenced, with the intention of publishing a new school estate strategy by spring 2009.

Copies of the Audit Scotland report are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45152).

Question reference: S3O-04144

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 September 2008
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 11 September 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards meeting its targets on renewable energy.

Good progress has been made. Since May last year the Scottish Government has consented 13 large scale renewable energy projects. We are on course to meet our target of generating 31% of Scottish electricity demand from renewables by 2011.

This target equates to around 5 GigaWatts of installed capacity. Currently, the capacity of projects operating and with consent is around 5.5 GigaWatts. Most of these consented projects will be operating by 2011, and there is still time for more to be consented and constructed before 2011.

We are also confident of achieving our target of generating 50% of our electricity from renewables by 2020.

Question reference: S3W-14203

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 13 June 2008
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 June 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what responses have been received to the Minister for Public Health’s letter of 27 July 2007 to NHS boards regarding the arrangements for formalising the relationship with the voluntary sector in respect of services for people with motor neurone disease.

Responses were received from all the geographical Boards other than NHS Highland, as well as from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland. These are summarised in the answer to question S3W-14201 on 24 June 2008.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Question reference: S3W-14201

Asked by: Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 13 June 2008
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 June 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps NHS boards are taking to assist with the costs incurred by Scottish Motor Neurone Association care teams.

Nine NHS boards have indicated that they are either providing 50% support for the services provided by Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association (SMNDA), or are in the process of developing an agreement.

As I said in my letter to Chief Executives in July 2007, I would wish all NHS boards to formalise their working arrangements with voluntary organisations such as the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association which provide services and staff. This is in line with our policy on engaging with the third sector, as set out in Better Health, Better Care.