Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-16184

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects or collates on the ethnicity of teachers, and what systems are used to gather this data.

Question reference: S5W-16186

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it collates ethnicity data in relation to the recruitment of teachers.

The Scottish Government does not collate ethnicity data in relation to the recruitment of teachers. Teacher recruitment and the collation of data is a matter for local authorities.

The Equality Act 2010 (the 2010 Act) requires public authorities to: eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. This is known as the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

Through the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 the Scottish Government has introduced a number of measures to ensure that public authorities comply with the Equality Act’s provisions. These include enhanced data collection, greater transparency and the assessment of new, revised and existing policies.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for compliance with the Act, and the Scottish Government works closely with the Commission who have produced a suite of technical guidance on the delivery of the public sector equality duty in Scotland that can be found at:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/technical-guidance-public-sector-equality-duty-scotland

Question reference: S5W-16187

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides guidance to local authorities regarding how to recruit a more representative workforce in relation to ethnicity.

The Scottish Government does not provide guidance to local authorities regarding how to recruit a more representative workforce in relation to ethnicity.

The Equality Act 2010 (the 2010 Act) requires public authorities to: eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. This is known as the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

Through the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 the Scottish Government has introduced a number of measures to ensure that public authorities comply with the Equality Act’s provisions. These include enhanced data collection, greater transparency and the assessment of new, revised and existing policies.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for compliance with the Act, and the Scottish Government works closely with the Commission who have produced a suite of technical guidance on the delivery of the public sector equality duty in Scotland that can be found at:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/technical-guidance-public-sector-equality-duty-scotland

Question reference: S5W-16067

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of media reports in January 2018, what information it has regarding whether P&O is considering introducing a ferry service between Scotland and Scandinavia.

Question reference: S5W-16161

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 8 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is normal practice regarding modern apprenticeships for Skills Development Scotland to only pay a contribution to the cost of the qualification, with employers expected to pay any remaining balance.

Scottish Government policy is to provide a contribution towards modern apprenticeship training based on a series of variables, with employers expected to make a contribution to additional costs of training and assessment as required.

SDS undertook a systematic review of all contribution rates, with ongoing review of individual frameworks on an evidence-led basis. This takes into account factors such as content of the framework and any formal structured learning that takes place away from the workplace.

In 2017-18 this Government introduced enhanced contribution rates for disabled people and those with experience of care up to the age of 29. Contracting arrangements for 2018/19 included increased contributions to the costs of delivering early years and childcare; dental nursing and management frameworks.

Question reference: S5W-15857

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), also broken down by their annual remuneration.

The Board Members of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited along with their remuneration are:

Name	Position	Annual Remuneration (£)
Lorna Jack	Interim Chair	22,320 1
Inglis Lyon	Managing Director	105,000 – 110,000
Gillian Bruton	Finance Director	54,600.00 2
David Savile	Non-Executive Director	7,424.25 3
Tim Whittome	Non-Executive Director	7,424.25 3
Jim McLaughlin	Non-Executive Director	8,018.19 4

1 – Remuneration paid directly to the Law Society of Scotland to compensate for Ms Jack’s time.

2 – Remuneration paid directly to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to compensate for Ms Bruton’s time.

3 – £7,127.28 for Non-Executive Director role and £296.97 as member of the Audit Committee.

4 – £7,127.28 for Non-Executive Director role and £890.91 as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Question reference: S5O-02072

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 May 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported comments by the health secretary regarding cooperation between NHS boards that "there will be a regional structure in place", whether it will provide further details of this policy, and what the implications are for regional NHS boards.

Question reference: S5W-15862

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when Audit Scotland last examined the financial management and accounting processes at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), and what the outcome was.

Question reference: S5W-15864

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has started tendering or contract negotiations with businesses regarding installing equipment to charge for car parking at Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway airports and, if so, which businesses.

Question reference: S5W-16097

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 20 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether the assessment material used for the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy will be made available to teachers and, if so, when.

Chamber and committees