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-07284

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria has been established by Historic Environment Scotland in its consultation on planning guidelines in conservation areas, and what its position is on the balance between conservation and issues relating to fuel poverty arising from poorly insulated and heated homes.

Historic Environment Scotland is not conducting a consultation on planning guidelines for conservation areas. Its current consultation on its Managing Change guidance relating to windows does not contain any criteria relating specifically to the installation of replacement windows in conservation areas, since the designation and day-to-day management of conservation areas is the sole responsibility of Local Authorities, which produce their own local guidance and policies.

The historic environment is important. It enriches the quality of our lives and helps to define who we are and is a vital part of the national economy. It supports over 60,000 jobs and contributes £2.3 billion to the national gross value added (GVA). We must not take the historic environment for granted, or assume that it will last forever.

Historic Environment Scotland also contributes to the Scottish Government's energy efficiency goals, conducting research and producing advice and guidance on how to prevent heat-loss, insulate and make improvements to traditional buildings. The draft Managing Change guidance on windows includes advice on energy efficiency and considers a variety of options for improving the energy efficiency of windows, including less invasive approaches than double glazing or replacement windows, which will be more cost-effective in the short and longer term.

Question reference: S5W-07283

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Historic Environment Scotland consultation on planning guidelines in conservation areas will take into consideration its Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill, in light of the links between difficult to heat homes and poor glazing and child health and child poverty.

Historic Environment Scotland is not producing planning guidelines for conservation areas. Its consultation on its Managing Change in the Historic Environment guidance relating to windows provides best practice guidance in relation to windows of all kinds in historic buildings. I will draw Historic Environment Scotland's attention to the principles underpinning the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill as it considers the responses to that consultation.

Historic Environment Scotland takes energy efficiency seriously, conducting ground-breaking research and producing advice and guidance on how to prevent heat-loss, insulate and make improvements to traditional buildings, which focuses on approaches that differ from those applicable to more modern buildings. These are freely available from the Historic Environment Scotland website.

Question reference: S5W-07282

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the Historic Environment Scotland consultation concerning planning guidelines in conservation areas will be made available.

The designation and day-to-day management of conservation areas is the sole responsibility of Local Authorities, which produce their own local guidance and policies. Historic Environment Scotland is not producing planning guidelines for conservation areas.

The Scottish Government’s policies on alteration or change in the historic environment are set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). Historic Environment Scotland's publications in the series, Managing Change in the Historic Environment, aim to explain that policy clearly in the context of best practices for traditional buildings.

On 27 February 2017, Historic Environment Scotland published a consultation on its Managing Change in the Historic Environment guidance relating to windows. This provides best practice guidance in relation to windows of all kinds in historic buildings.

Question reference: S5W-07171

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the new bowel cancer screening kit for people who are blind or sight-impaired will be available.

The Scottish Government is committed to introducing the new Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) into the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme by the end of 2017. The new test is considered more user friendly than the current test and is expected to help increase participation in the programme.

Furthermore, a review of communication materials used in the Programme is underway. As part of this review, Health Scotland is working with the RNIB to consider whether current information materials could be adapted or enhanced to ensure accessibility.

Question reference: S5O-00656

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 8 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution last met Inverclyde Council.

Question reference: S5F-00890

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 February 2017
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 February 2017

To ask the First Minister what legislation is in place to deal with drug-driving.

Question reference: S5O-00597

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 25 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the board's maternity unit review.

Ministers and Government officials regularly discuss matters of local importance such as these with Health boards.

The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde agreed with the view of the Scottish Health Council at its meeting in December that its proposals in relation to Clyde birthing services represented major change. The Board were also clear that they will take full account of the National Maternity and Neonatal Services Review, published on the 20th of January, before progressing any proposals to change maternity services in Inverclyde and at the Vale of Leven. As the existing proposals have been designated major, should they be taken forward, they must still subject to formal public consultation and, ultimately, Ministerial approval.

Question reference: S5W-05971

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Music Industries Association regarding the manufacture of instruments made from Dalbergia species since the UK signed up to new international regulations on its import and export.

Question reference: S5W-05968

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of importing and exporting changes affecting Dalbergia species as a result of the UK signing up to new international regulations.

Question reference: S5W-05969

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether the UK Government made it aware of the possibility of importing and exporting changes affecting Dalbergia species and, if so, when.