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: S4W-24018

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) identified and (b) acquired accommodation for the Scottish sentencing council.

Question reference: S4W-24017

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) setup and (b) running costs of the Scottish sentencing council will be.

Question reference: S4W-24007

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the names of the (a) judicial, (b) legal and (c) lay members of the Scottish sentencing council.

Question reference: S4W-24006

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-20677 by Kenny MacAskill on 2 May 2014, what progress it has made on establishing the Scottish sentencing council.

Question reference: S4W-24004

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 27 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government when the 20 mph speed limit trial on the A7 in Langholm will conclude and when the results will be published.

Question reference: S4W-24020

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 27 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other assistance it can provide to homeowners to help with the costs of roof repairs.

Private home owners are primarily responsible for repairing and maintaining their own property. The Scottish Government does not provide assistance directly to home owners as local authorities have a broad range of statutory powers to provide assistance with structural repairs including roof repairs through advice and guidance, practical help or financial assistance by way of grants or loans. It is for the local authority to determine what kinds of assistance should be made available in each area on the basis of local priorities and budgets.

Question reference: S4O-03944

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding its plans for Dumfries Learning Town.

Question reference: S4W-24003

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 21 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made with the 20 mph speed limit trial on the A7 in Langholm.

Since announcing the 20 mph pilot in Langholm we have consulted with the local authority and wider community. In response to our consultation we have received a wide range of views from the local community and we are working with them and the local authority to identify what proposals will provide the greatest safety benefits and meet the needs of the community of Langholm.

A number of surveys are ongoing and will be completed by late February 2015; we will discuss the outcomes with the local authority and community thereafter.

Question reference: S4W-23779

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for appointment to the Justice Board.

The Justice Board is a non-statutory body. Members are not appointed but attend in their capacity as senior leaders of key justice organisations. Justice Board members work together to support delivery of The Strategy for Justice in Scotland (2012) and to promote collaborative and proactive approaches across the justice system.

The current Justice Board membership comprises the chief executives of the Scottish Court Service, Scottish Tribunal Service, Scottish Legal Aid Board, Scottish Police Authority and Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, the Crown Agent and Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Chief Constable and a Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland, the Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, a Non-Executive Director and the Scottish Government directors of justice, safer communities and children and families.

The Strategy for Justice in Scotland is available on the Scottish Government website:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/09/5924

Question reference: S4W-23780

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the operation of the Justice Board would be enhanced by having members drawn from civic society.

The work of the Justice Board is supported by the Justice Leaders Network.

The Justice Leaders Network brings together partners and stakeholders from across the justice system and related sectors to support the delivery of The Strategy for Justice in Scotland. This is an opportunity to involve a broader range of justice organisations and interests not represented on the Justice Board, including representatives of the public, academic and third sector organisations.