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: S4W-15110

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 30 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to help maintain the hyperbaric chamber on Cumbrae if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes.

The chamber in Millport is one of three independent chambers, in addition to the nationally designated Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which are currently recognised to provide treatment for diving related illness.

The number of diving related incidents requiring hyperbaric treatment in Scotland is declining dramatically year on year and the number of chambers providing services exceeds the demand for those services.

NHS Scotland is currently considering a service re-design to ensure the provision of a safe, sustainable clinically effective and cost effective service for the number of diving related decompression illnesses within Scotland.

A report to the National Specialist Services Committee and the Board Chief Executives is expected by the summer 2013.

Question reference: S4W-15111

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 30 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have used the hyperbaric chamber on Cumbrae in the last five years.

Question reference: S4O-02192

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a group B streptococcus screening programme for pregnant women.

Question reference: S4W-14629

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 17 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken or plans to undertake a review of how many refuges for vulnerable women and children will not be considered exempt accommodation under the new universal credit and benefit cap rules.

The Scottish Government has been working with COSLA and providers of housing support to assess the exact number of Supported Accommodation in Scotland that will not be covered under the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP’s) definition of Supported Exempt Accommodation.

Scottish Ministers have pressed DWP to resolve the anomalous situation whereby some Support Accommodation in Scotland will not be included in the Supported Exempt Accommodation definition and will therefore be subject to measures such as the benefit cap and under-occupancy deductions.

DWP has written to the Scottish Government, acknowledging that this situation was unintentional, and committing to seek a resolution subject to not increasing current expenditure.

Question reference: S4W-14628

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2013
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 15 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct an audit of the number of local authorities taking a three-year approach to funding voluntary sector organisations and, if so, when.

Question reference: S4W-13468

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the John Muir Trust's proposal that wild land should be the subject of additional national designation.

There are already protected areas with a landscape focus (National Scenic Areas and National Parks) which cover almost 20% of Scotland’s land area and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) recognises that the most sensitive landscapes may have little or no capacity to accept new development. SPP also states that areas of wild land character in some of Scotland’s remoter upland, mountain and coastal areas are very sensitive to any form of development or intrusive human activity and that planning authorities should safeguard the character of these areas in development plans.

I would also refer the member to the Members’ business debate on motion S4M-05602 on Conservation (Endangered Species and Wild Land) on 6 March 2013.

Question reference: S4W-13507

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to support the economy of Cumbrae if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes and what discussion it has had with stakeholders on this matter.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with a wide range of organisations to increase economic activity, promote growth, and to protect and create employment opportunities across North Ayrshire, including in Cumbrae.

I have held two constructive meetings (17 January and 20 February 2013) to discuss the future of Millport Station, which were well attended and included the owners, University of London, representatives from the Scottish higher education sector and those with local interests.

Discussions have been helpful and productive with a number of options identified for exploration at future meetings.

Question reference: S4W-13500

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the University of St Andrews, (b) North Ayrshire Council and (c) the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland regarding the University Marine Biological Station Millport; when these discussions took place, and what the nature was of the discussions.

I have held two constructive meetings (17 January and 20 February 2013) to discuss the future of Millport, which were attended by representatives from St Andrews, North Ayrshire Council, and the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland.

Discussions included the impact on local community and staff and what measures could be taken by the Scottish Government and other partners in the event of a decision to close the station.

I also met with North Ayrshire Council Leader, Willie Gibson on 7 February 2013 to discuss the same issues.

Question reference: S4W-13501

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the University Marine Biological Station Millport, the University of St Andrews and other stakeholders to develop a plan to invest in and develop the station.

Question reference: S4W-13505

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 15 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what services will be transferred to the Scottish Association for Marine Science if the University Marine Biological Station Millport is closed.

Divers Treated	Millport Chamber
2008	11
2009	3
2010	4
2011	2
2012	4
Total	24