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-19484

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that people who are entitled to a flu vaccination receive it this winter, and when it expects the programme of vaccinations to be complete.

The seasonal flu vaccination programme runs from October to March however it is expected that the vast majority of vaccinations will have taken place by end November.

Central to the programme is our social marketing strategy. On 1 October the programme launched a new campaign to focus on the importance of flu vaccination with the aim of encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.

In addition to the marketing campaign, we have directly contacted everyone over 65 as well as the parents of all children aged 2-5, inviting them to make an appointment with their GP practice.

Question reference: S5W-19485

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the risks are to older people, those with health conditions and for children this winter in the event of a shortage of flu vaccinations.

Seasonal flu vaccination is offered to all those at increased risk of the complications of flu on the basis of advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Eligible individuals who were unable to be vaccinated would be at higher risk of contracting the flu or serious flu-related consequences. Flu is not currently circulating to any significant degree in Scotland. This means there is still time for people to be vaccinated.

Question reference: S5W-19486

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to engage with GP practices to ensure that they receive the correct quantities of the flu vaccination this year and in subsequent years.

Scottish Government, including the CMO, and partners such as HPS and National Procurement produce and distribute specific communications for GPs in the run up to the season to assist practices in planning. This year communications included updates to GPs highlighting the JCVI recommendations and a request to review their eligible patient numbers to identify the quantity of vaccines required for their eligible groups.

Question reference: S5W-19487

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when GP practices can expect to receive sufficient flu vaccinations for (a) adults and (b) children.

Question reference: S5W-19483

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is a reported shortage of flu vaccinations available to GP practices this year.

More vaccine was ordered this season than last in Scotland, but there can be local mismatches between supply and demand for a variety of reasons. Health Protection Scotland coordinates a national group to smooth any local supply issues for GPs, within the overall volume of stock that is held within Scotland. This group is meeting regularly to support the NHS Boards and their practices. This group has observed that there appears to have been a higher early demand in some GP practices this year for the vaccine provided for those under the age of 65. This demand is being managed within the available supply. Scottish Government has also provided additional funding to allow extra vaccine to be procured and provided to GPs which are now being distributed.

Question reference: S5F-02746

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 November 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 November 2018

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the proposal by Scottish Water to remove the 25% single person discount from at least 500,000 customers, including older people.

Question reference: S5W-19587

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the socio-demographic profile of people in receipt of the Scottish Water single person discount.

We do not hold any data on the socio-demographic profile of households that qualify for single status discounts.

Citizens Advice Scotland's (CAS) latest research report takes a closer look at characteristics that may indicate whether a household will struggle to pay for water and sewerage charges. It also provides an analysis of various proxies that could be used to determine affordability and at how additional financial support could be targeted towards households that need it most. A copy of that report can be found at: https://www.cas.org.uk/publications/charting-new-course-study-developing-affordability-policy-water-and-sewerage-charges .

Question reference: S5W-19462

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 1 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on developing guidance for local authorities regarding providing support for veterans aged (a) under 65 and (b) 65 or over who feel lonely or isolated.

The Scottish Government is developing its national strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and will publish this before the end of 2018.

The strategy, A Connected Scotland, takes a whole population approach but we recognise that particular groups of people, like veterans, can be at greater risk of experiencing social isolation and/or loneliness than others.

The strategy recognises the significance of transition periods in people’s lives as a potential trigger for social isolation and loneliness and that a return to civilian communities can be one such trigger point for veterans of any age.

We want to empower communities to lead this work in a locally-relevant way, and we are working with partners across local and national government to achieve this.

Question reference: S5W-19175

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 1 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what professional external interests have been declared by (a) the chair, (b) each member of the board of and (c) each senior executive staff member of Caledonian Assets Maritime Ltd (CMAL), including interests that have ceased in the last five years.

The following table details the professional external interests of the current Executive and Non-Executive Directors of Caledonian Assets Maritime Ltd:-

Director

Erik Østergaard	April 2013 - Current
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Limited	Director
Danish Transport & Logistics	Director
Dover Harbour Board	Director
Holdingselkabet	Director
Associated Danish Ports a/s	Director
Mois Linein a/s	Director
Royal Artic Line a/s	Director
Sea Lion & subsidiaries	Director


Morag McNeil	May 2014 - Current
Family Acton in Rogerfield and Easterhouse	Director
Mnp Eg Limited	Director
Social Investment Scotland (Community Finance Limited)	Director
Social Investment Scotland Community Capital Limited	Director
Scottish Event Campus Limited	Director
Big Hearts Community Trust	Spouse of M McNeil


Paul Croucher	August 2017 - Current
Barnsole Trust Limited	Director
Reliance Bank Limited	Director
Sealion (IOM) Ltd	Director

Anthony Graham	August 2017 - Current
Bluewater Portfolio Ltd	Director
Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilding Ltd	Director
UK Naval, Engineering, Science and Technology	Director

Kevin J Hobbs	March 2016 - Current
Scottish Maritime Cluster	Director

Jim Anderson	April 2016 - Current
None

Gillian M Bruton	May 2013 - Current
Highlands and Islands Airport Limited	Director
Airport Management Services Limited	Director
Dundee Airport Limited	Director

Lorna E Spencer	April 2013 - Current
Spencer Marine Consulting Ltd	Director
Spencer Marine Consulting	Spouse of L E Spencer
Scottish Shipping Benevolent Fund	Association ceased within last 5 years

Question reference: S5W-19178

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 1 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how often ministers meet Caledonian Assets Maritime Ltd (CMAL), and when they (a) last met and (b) will next meet.