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-00234

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2016
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 9 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what the level of the Sure Start Maternity Grant would be had it been uprated in line with the (a) retail and (b) consumer price index since 2002.

Question reference: S4O-05642

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 March 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how the Forth Road Bridge closure has affected the condition of roads on diversionary routes.

Question reference: S4O-05563

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2016
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 11 February 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the judgement by Sheriff V Smith against North Lanarkshire Council in relation to the siting of snack vans near schools.

With a significant number of children choosing to purchase food from nearby outlets during the school day, the food environment around schools has an important role to play in encouraging children and young people to eat a healthy balanced diet.

The Scottish Government strongly encourages local partners, including local authorities, schools, caterers and retailers, to work collaboratively to consider what more they can do to positively influence the food environment outside of schools and better support healthy diets.

This includes sharing best practice between local authorities, working with food vans and other outlets to adopt healthier practices, and encouraging more retailers to participate in the Healthy Living Programme.

A holistic package of guidance, Beyond the School Gates and Better Eating Better Learning, is already available to help local partners develop their plans.

Question reference: S4O-05525

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 January 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 February 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met NHS Lanarkshire and what was discussed.

Question reference: S4O-05269

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 January 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with EU officials regarding funding for public infrastructure projects, including the new Cumbernauld Academy.

Question reference: S4O-05220

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 January 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the development of new allotment sites.

Question reference: S4O-04778

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what the average police response time is to reports of serious violent crime.

The Scottish Government does not hold information about police response times to reports of serious violent crime. Police Scotland Contact, Command and Control centres receive around 500,000 emergency (999) calls per annum. HMICS has recently provided assurance in its review of call handling that the grading, prioritisation and dispatch of officers for emergency calls is working well with a prompt response from officers.

Violent crime has reduced by 55% since 2006-07 and clear-up rates for violent crime have increased to 84.1% – the highest since comparable records began in 1976. Crimes of handling and offensive weapon are down by 67% since 2006-07. Homicides are at their lowest level of any year on record. Fewer Scots are likely to become victims of crime and this is all supported by the 1,000 extra officers in our communities since 2007.

Question reference: S4O-04737

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what support the PACE team can provide to unemployed professional footballers who have been released by their club.

Question reference: S4F-03003

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2015

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the report by the Child Poverty Action Group, The Cost of the School Day.

Question reference: S4W-27703

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2015
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 2 October 2015

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning last met Universities Scotland to discuss the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.

I last met with Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal of University of Dundee and Convener of Universities Scotland and Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland to discuss the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill on 20 May 2015. This is only one of a number of meetings which I, and my officials, have undertaken on this Bill. These have included meetings with Chairs of university courts, rectors and former rectors, principals, and trade union and student representatives.

All stakeholders were given an opportunity to provide their views on the Bill through the Consultation Paper on a Higher Education Governance Bill. All views and ideas offered by stakeholders on the provisions for the Bill were carefully considered and informed the shape of the Bill at introduction.

I will continue to listen carefully to the views put to me in the many meetings I have had relating to this Bill, and will consider all constructive suggestions that are raised in evidence and as we debate the detail of the Bill in Parliament.