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-01539

Asked by: Ross Thomson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 July 2016
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 15 August 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Brimmond Primary School in Bucksburn is showing signs of subsidence; what discussions it has had or plans with Aberdeen City Council regarding the issue; what contingencies are in place should the school face a period of closure, and whether it will carry out an investigation into the matter and, if so, when the results of this will be made public.

Question reference: S5W-00765

Asked by: Ross Thomson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 21 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when the improvement works on the Aberdeen to (a) Glasgow and (b) Edinburgh rail line will (i) commence and (ii) end.

The Scottish Government has set out its aspirations for improvements in journey times and performance between Aberdeen and the central belt. Phase one of the Aberdeen to central belt project commenced in 2014, which will deliver line speed improvements, improved loop capacity for freight and signalling enhancements by 2019, with future phases being delivered over an incremental basis until 2030.

Separate development work for the Aberdeen city region deal rail commitments is being progressed by Transport Scotland, the remit of which is in line with the announcements made in January 2016. Full delivery is expected to be up to 10 years, as outlined in the broader city deal commitments, with specification of initial requirements to be set out in the Scottish Government’s high level output specification for control period 6 (period 2019 to 2024), which is due to be published by summer 2017.

Question reference: S5W-00535

Asked by: Ross Thomson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 June 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 15 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will hold an inquiry into the 2016 National 5 examination in computing science in light of complaints regarding wording and content.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for the setting and marking of exam papers.

Dr Janet Brown, Chief Executive of the SQA, has assured ministers that the 2016 National 5 computing science exam was set to the correct standard and was in line with the course assessment specification.

However, SQA has also confirmed that there were several typographical errors in the paper and I have written to Dr Brown seeking further assurance that all necessary safeguards will be put in place to prevent this happening in future.

Question reference: S5W-00164

Asked by: Ross Thomson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 May 2016
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many people had received assistance from the Transition Training Fund by the end of 2015-16 and how many have received assistance since 1 April 2016.

The Transition Training Fund was announced by the First Minister on 1 February 2016. Since the fund was announced, 412 individuals have been engaging with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and received assistance regarding access to the fund, with 91 individuals receiving offers of financial support for training courses from this group, thus far. Assistance involves a direct discussion with a careers adviser about their career and training needs, and how the fund can help applicants into employment.

SDS remains fully engaged with those individuals who have registered an interest in the fund, with SDS advisors continuing to provide tailored advice and support whilst their fund application process is on-going. The SDS website to register interest in the individual training support went live on 3 May 2016 and a targeted marketing campaign to further highlight and raise awareness of the fund is expected to result in a significant uptake of support.

In addition to providing support for individuals, the Transition Training Fund also offers procured training and support for transition to teacher training.

Question reference: S5O-00022

Asked by: Ross Thomson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 June 2016
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government whether the £254 million infrastructure investment that it announced in January 2016 will be included as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal governance structure.