Questions and answers

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 ��˿�� 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: S4O-05250

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 13 January 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent YouGov survey suggesting that 42% of people in Scotland are unaware of the risk factors of being overweight.

I am pleased that the survey quoted indicated that nearly 60% of the population are aware of the risk of cancer associated with being overweight. Our own data from the Scottish Health Survey – Knowledge, attitudes and motivations to health (2013) had awareness at 34%. This I think clearly shows awareness among the wider population of the risk of being overweight and the link to cancer is growing. We need to continue to raise this issue so that more of the population are aware that the risk of being overweight brings with it an increased risk of cancer.

Question reference: S4O-05212

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 January 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the impact of the drink driving laws, introduced in December 2014.

The Scottish Government lowered the drink driving limit to help change driver behaviour, improve road safety and reduce the number of deaths on our roads.

Following the change in the limit, it is encouraging that 12.5% fewer drivers were detected by Police Scotland as being over the limit between December 2014 and August 2015 compared with the equivalent period December 2013 to August 2014. This represents a fall from 4,208 offences to 3,682 offences.

Unfortunately, it is concerning that there is still a minority who risk the safety of themselves and other road users by getting behind the wheel after drinking. That is why Police Scotland's festive anti-drink drive enforcement campaign is so important to help send the strong message that if you have a drink, don't drive. The results of this year's campaign will be published in the next few weeks.

Question reference: S4O-05178

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the gender pay gap in Scotland is 7.3%, compared with 9.4% in the UK.

Question reference: S4O-04917

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on its finances of not devolving the Crown Estate's share in Fort Kinnaird retail park.

Question reference: S4W-28403

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 24 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23749 by Derek Mackay on 9 January 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making on achieving grade separation for the Sheriffhall roundabout.

Question reference: S4W-28404

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 19 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04551 by John Swinney on 9 September 2015 (Official Report, c.5), whether it will provide an update on (a) the progress that is being made with the Office for National Statistics regarding the EU accounting requirements and (b) when funding will be released for the Newbattle High School project.

The Scottish Government has sought a view from the Office for National Statistics on proposed changes to the contractual arrangements that apply to the Scottish Government’s hub programme of infrastructure investment, through which a number of projects including the Newbattle High School are to be delivered.

The proposals, developed by the Scottish Futures Trust, are aimed at responding to recent changes in relevant EU accounting guidance. As indicated on 9 September 2015 in my answer to question S4O-04551, the Office for National Statistics had indicated that it expected to be able to respond in October or November 2015 and I therefore hope to be in a position soon to provide a further update to Parliament.

Question reference: S4O-04857

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the HS2 rail project coming to Scotland.

Question reference: S4O-04809

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding planning for winter.

Question reference: S4O-04766

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on its climate targets is of the UK Government’s energy policies.

Question reference: S4O-04718

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 October 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many local authorities use the Water Direct scheme to deduct water and sewerage charges, and whether this includes Midlothian and East Lothian councils.