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: S5O-00477

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 14 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses Scotland’s economic performance in comparison with other countries.

The Scottish Government uses the National Performance Framework and Scotland Performs to help monitor and assess Scotland’s overall economic performance.

These contain indicators that assess Scotland’s performance across a number of dimensions of economic performance. They also include several indicators that compare Scotland against our international competitors.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving Scotland’s economic performance in comparison to our international counterparts. Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out our framework for doing so, based on the twin objectives of boosting competitiveness whilst tackling inequality.

Question reference: S5W-04742

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 1 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans to have with (i) Heriot-Watt University and (ii) other third parties regarding (A) the creation of and (B) providing finance and support for a national film studio.

The Scottish Government has regular meetings, as a member of the Film Studio Delivery Group, to discuss how to support and finance enhanced film studio infrastructure for Scotland.

As representatives of the Film Studio Delivery Group, Scottish Enterprise are in discussion with potential investors Guardhouse Productions Ltd. regarding their interest to develop studio facilities in Scotland at Heriot-Watt University.

The Scottish Government has, to date, had no discussions with Heriot-Watt University regarding the creation of, or support for, enhanced film studio infrastructure in Scotland. The Scottish Government remains open to discussions regarding proposals.

Question reference: S5O-00429

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to support a national campaign to raise awareness of disability and reduce stigma, in light of the recent report by Disability Agenda Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-04740

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government which sites have been identified as possible locations for a national film studio.

There are a number of facilities which Creative Scotland actively promote for film production in Scotland – the current list of available premises is set out in the following table:

Studio Space	Location
BBC Studios	Dumbarton
BBC Studios	Pacific Quay
100 Borron Street	Glasgow
Buchanan Business Park	Glasgow
Drampac	Bellshill
Edinburgh Film Studios	Edinburgh
Film City	Glasgow
Film Services Ltd.	Livingston
Pelamis	Edinburgh
Pyramids Business Park	Bathgate
Scottish Opera	Glasgow
The Shed	Glasgow
Skyespace	Isle of Skye
Sugar Sheds	Greenock
SWG3	Glasgow
TCU Studio and Office Facilities	Glasgow
Westway	Renfrew, Glasgow

Our intention to support the expansion of the existing facilities at Wardpark, Cumbernauld, currently home to the successful drama series, Outlander, was announced on 9 March 2016.

The Film Studio Delivery Group (Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise) published a feasibility study and options appraisal for film studios in 2014. The study was refreshed in 2015.

The Scottish Government and its partners remain committed to supporting further private sector-led investment in additional studio developments, as appropriate, to meet the needs of the market.

Question reference: S5O-00343

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the proposal by Edinburgh City Council to introduce a tourist tax could impact on the number of visitors to the city.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a tourist tax. The Scottish tourism industry currently subject to UK Government VAT rates which are the seconds largest in the EU. However we are open to discussions with any local authorities that are interested, recognising that potential impacts and implications would need to be carefully considered.

More widely we continue to engage with COSLA around making local taxation fairer and ensuring local authorities continue to be properly funded while becoming more accountable.

Question reference: S5O-00322

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage school pupils to study medicine at university.

Question reference: S5O-00248

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle claimants' abuse of the welfare powers that are being devolved.

Question reference: S5W-01826

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 August 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 22 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been provided to local authorities to ensure consistent reporting of the number of pupils with additional support needs.

The ScotXed Unit within the Scottish Government provide guidance notes to schools in Scotland responsible for reporting on the school/pupil census. This includes the reporting of pupils with additional support needs.The Scottish Government is committed, through the Advisory Group for Additional Support for Learning, to improve guidance to authorities on the reporting of pupils with additional support needs. Work to agree this is ongoing.The current guidance notes can be accessed at the following link:

Question reference: S5W-01828

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 August 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the amount owed in unpaid council tax and rent by local authority employees, broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S5W-01542

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 July 2016
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 26 July 2016

To ask the Scottish Government which of its departments will be responsible for the operation of the Baby Box scheme; what items will be included in the boxes; who will be responsible for their distribution, and how much the scheme will cost each year to run.

<>The Directorate of Children and Families, Creating Positive Futures Division will be responsible for the operation of the Baby Box Scheme in close partnership with other policy areas across the organisation. The Scottish Government are working with a variety of stakeholders and with parents to agree which items will be included in the boxes. Options for distribution are being considered and will form part of the procurement exercise in the coming weeks. The proposal is for a Scottish baby box of the same standard as the Finnish model costing in the region of £6 million (or approximately £100 per box) per annum. Further information on the Finnish model can be found at: .