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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 1153 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S4W-22742

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons rolling stock operated under contract with Transport Scotland will be allowed to discharge effluent on the tracks until 1 January 2020.

From December 2017 there will be no ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper franchise-operated rolling stock that discharges toilet effluent on to the track.

The original deadline of 1 January 2020 was chosen to provide a practically sufficient period to allow the ScotRail franchisee the time to be able to remove vehicles from service for the fitment of controlled emission tanks without adversely affecting their ability to operate the rail services in Scotland.

Until then, Network Rail remains actively engaged with track working front line staff and operators to remove existing waste and to minimise the locations on the network where such effluent is deposited. Network Rail has advised that they have secured specialist contractors to support a programme of deep cleaning at key site locations and this work remains ongoing.

Question reference: S4W-22741

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding effluent discharge on the tracks in Scotland from rolling stock operated on cross-border passenger rail services since May 2011 and what remedies have been discussed.

The specification of rolling stock for cross-border services is a reserved matter for the UK Government. I have written to the UK Secretary of State for Transport to confirm that from December 2017 there will be no ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper franchise-operated rolling stock that discharges toilet effluent on to the track and I have asked if the Secretary of State intends to accelerate a similar plan on cross-border passenger rail services in Scotland.

Question reference: S4W-22747

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many bidders for the ScotRail franchise have explained in the Rolling Stock Improvement Delivery Plan how they will fit effluent retention tanks on all rolling stock and how many have committed to complete this improvement before 1 January 2020.

This was an issue that was recognised in preparation of the specification for the next Scotrail franchise that commences on 1 April 2015. An obligation is included in the new franchise contract for all rolling stock, with on-train toilets, to be fitted with controlled emission tanks.

From December 2017 there will be no ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper franchise-operated rolling stock that discharges toilet effluent on to the track.

Question reference: S4W-22761

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the benefits to rail freight (a) volumes and (b) services of the next franchised ScotRail contract, broken down by (i) route and (ii) region.

We have a very clear expectation as part of our overall strategy that Abellio ScotRail will work closely with the rail freight sector, Network Rail and other stakeholders to maximise the economic and social impact of Scotland’s railways. For example, in the efficient delivery of major projects such as the Highland Main Line improvements and the identification, development and delivery of high value, opportunity led interventions through the CP5 funds.

Question reference: S4W-22748

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions with rolling stock companies it had regarding the design of the invitation to tender for ScotRail services published in January 2014 and whether it discussed the deadline for connecting rolling stock toilets to effluent retention tanks.

During early 2013, Transport Scotland held a series of market briefings with the rail industry about the franchise procurement exercise and the franchise objectives. The draft invitation to tender (ITT) was issued to pre-qualified bidders in November 2013 with the final ITT issued to bidders in January 2014.

From December 2017 there will be no ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper franchise-operated rolling stock that discharges toilet effluent on to the track.

Question reference: S4W-22750

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance on passenger toilet facilities it issued to the operator of ScotRail services prior to the Commonwealth Games 2014.

Transport Scotland engage regularly with ScotRail on rolling stock and station improvements to passenger facilities. The current ScotRail franchise requires that ScotRail passenger toilet facilities are fully functional including all lights, locks and seats.

Recent discussions on passenger toilet facilities included the ongoing refurbishment of the class 318 trains which are being fitted with new compliant passenger toilet facilities and the upgrade to the toilets at Glasgow Queen Street station.

Question reference: S4W-22740

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 30 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) trade unions and (b) Network Rail regarding effluent discharge on the tracks from (i) ScotRail and (ii) cross-border rolling stock since May 2011 and what remedies have been discussed.

This matter was first raised in a letter from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) to Transport Scotland on 25 September 2014 and discussions with Network Rail and the RMT are ongoing. Network Rail continues to work with their maintenance teams and operators to remove existing waste and to minimise the locations on the network where such effluent is deposited. Specialist contractors have been deployed at key site locations to undertake a programme of deep cleaning of affected areas.

Looking forward, from December 2017 there will be no ScotRail or Caledonian Sleeper franchise-operated rolling stock that discharges toilet effluent on to the track.

The specification of East Coast cross-border services is the responsibility of the UK Government although we have been advised that there is a commitment for those services currently operated by diesel trains without storage tanks to use the next generation of rolling stock which will have these fitted as standard.

Question reference: S4W-22622

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been prosecuted under the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 and how many have been convicted.

Question reference: S4W-22619

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what information is provided to mothers in relation to the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005.

There are universal resources, available to all pregnant women, which include reference to the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. These are:

The Ready Steady Baby! book provided at initial booking with maternity services. There is also a Ready Steady Baby website: http://www.readysteadybaby.org.uk/

The booklet Off to a good start: All you need to know about breastfeeding your baby is provided at 28 weeks' gestation:

http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/120.aspx

Question reference: S4W-22617

Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what training is provided to police officers in relation to the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005.