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: S4W-07995

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 27 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding holding military inquests in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04694 on 4 January 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

Scottish Government officials continue to be in regular contact with the Ministry of Justice regarding the commencement of sections 12 and 50 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 which make provision for a fatal accident inquiry to be held in Scotland into the death abroad of any service personnel domiciled in Scotland. These provisions have not yet been commenced by the Ministry of Justice, but we understand that it is their intention to do so as soon as practicable.

Question reference: S4W-08273

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the report, Future arrangements to secure food standards and safety in Scotland.

The Scudamore review was as a direct result of the UK Government’s decision to move responsibility for nutrition and food labelling in England from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to the Department of Health and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2010. These changes in England removed significant capacity in the FSA’s nutrition and labelling functions for Scotland, undermining our drive to improve public health through diet.

Given the importance of food safety to Scotland’s health, we asked Professor Jim Scudamore to head an independent review to determine the best outcome for Scotland’s long term interests. They recommended creating a new Scottish body for food safety, food standards, nutrition, food labelling and meat inspection, utilising the experience and capacity which exists already in Scotland.

We have accepted that majority recommendation. We did not seek any change in the FSA’s functions, but we must react to the machinery of government changes in 2010. A new body will allow a Scottish approach to be taken to tackle poor diet and food-borne diseases and should support our food and drink industry in growing its strong, international reputation for safe, quality food.

We have accepted all of the Panel’s recommendations. This means that the new body will be at arms-length from the Scottish Government. The body will encompass nutrition and labelling policy, and meat inspection policy and operational delivery, in addition to food safety and standards. We will establish a new body which is independent, evidence-based, consumer-focussed and transparent.

Creating a new Scottish Food Standards body will require primary legislation, and we plan to consult on options before the end of this year.

Question reference: S4W-07822

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how much correspondence it has received from members of the public regarding the non-implementation of the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009, broken down by local authority.

Question reference: S4W-07823

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will audit the implementation of the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.

Question reference: S4W-07821

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council regarding implementing the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.

Question reference: S4W-07818

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many councils have fully implemented the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.

Question reference: S4W-07819

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that councils comply with the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.

Question reference: S4W-07820

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive when all of the requirements of the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009 will be implemented.

Question reference: S4O-01189

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Creative Scotland to discuss its work in Aberdeen.

Question reference: S4W-07864

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 June 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 June 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many charities have failed to submit their accounts to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator for two or more consecutive years since 2005.