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-10495

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government whether any minister had access to more than one draft of the Your Scotland, Your Referendum consultation analysis by Craigforth Consultancy before or after publication.

The 26,219 consultation responses, along with the independent analysis, were published on 23 October 2012. This response was the third highest to a consultation since devolution. Responses needed to be checked before being published and given the scale of the response, this process took time.

The analysis of the referendum consultation was carried out by Griesbach and Associates in collaboration with Craigforth HCAS Ltd. The terms and conditions of the contract are as set out in the Scottish Government Social Research Standard Conditions of Contract SR/SC 17/04/2012 (available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/About/Social-Research/Guidance-for-Contractors/Standard-Conditions).

The contract letter stated that a final report should be submitted by 12 September 2012. The Scottish Government agreed a revised timescale with the researchers and this was met.

The Scottish Government’s project manager for the research contract based in the Strategic Research Team, received draft sections of the report from mid-August 2012 onwards and a draft final report on 12 October 2012. These were shared with policy officials in the Referendum Bill Team.

The Deputy First Minister was sent the draft final report on 20 October 2012. The First Minister was not sent a draft copy of the consultation analysis report.

In line with normal practice, research and policy officials discussed the contents and format of the report with the contractors prior to publication.

Question reference: S4W-10892

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to encourage high street and retail banks operating in Scotland to offer a free, basic bank account service.

Question reference: S4W-10889

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 15 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how many people it estimates do not have a bank account.

Question reference: S4W-10891

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what work it or its agencies is undertaking with the retail and banking sectors to ensure that everyone who needs it has access to a bank account, ahead of the introduction of universal credit.

The UK Department of Work and Pensions will require universal credit claimants to have a bank account, and is working with a range of banking and financial product providers to make financial services accessible to potential universal credit recipients.

The Scottish Government has established a stakeholder group to provide input, advice and expertise on the related subjects of financial inclusion, financial capability, personal budgeting support, financial product development, payment exceptions, digital access and digital participation in relation to welfare reform. The broad-based group met for the first time on 26 October 2012 in Glasgow.

Question reference: S4O-01496

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what its estimate is of the value to the Edinburgh economy of the winter festival season.

Question reference: S4W-10896

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions and (b) consultation it has had with statutory or voluntary organisations about the new EU funding programmes.

The Scottish Government has been consulting with a range of stakeholders as part of developing our approach to the new funding programmes, this has included local government, enterprise agencies, statutory bodies, the private sector and voluntary bodies.

Different funds have in addition made specific arrangements, for example working groups, on-line surveys and consultations, and stakeholder events. We will consult further on those Funds which the Scottish government will have responsibility for dispersing over the course of 2013.

Question reference: S4W-10895

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) it and (b) officials have had with the European Commission about the new EU funding programmes.

Scottish Government officials have regular discussions with the European Commission on a range of issues, including European funding, and will continue to do so.

Negotiations are underway in Europe about both budgets for the various Funds, and the precise regulations which will govern them from 2014 onwards. All of these negotiations should reach conclusions over the next year, and we are making clear representations on Scotland’s priorities for economic development, rural areas, fisheries policies and research and innovation at both political and official levels. Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers continue to attend European Council for discussions.

Question reference: S4W-10898

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that new EU funding will provide additional benefit to communities in most need.

The European Commission’s proposals for the 2014-20 period are strongly focused on achieving Europe 2020 targets for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This is strongly aligned with the Government’s Economic Strategy, including a focus on low carbon economy, research and development, better skills and social inclusion and equity.

The Structural, Rural Development and Fisheries Funds already contribute to community development and social inclusion in both deprived urban and remote and peripheral rural areas. We are working with stakeholders to identify ways of improving the outcomes we get in communities in need, including local approaches to identifying spending priorities.

Question reference: S4W-10894

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to secure match funding partners for the new EU funding programmes.

In line with the Partnership approach required by new EU Regulations for 2014, discussions have started with stakeholders on the shape of the proposals and the opportunities these present. It is too early to identify the size of the match funding required and discussion will continue as the programmes firm up.

The Scottish Government is aware that match funding will be a concern for many organisations who access EU Funds. We are considering a range of options, including matching with funds from core budgets, local authorities and enterprise agencies where possible. However, it is inevitable that with falling budgets in Europe and at home, this will continue to be an issue.

Question reference: S4W-10897

Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to involve community planning partnerships and the voluntary sector in the governance of funds arising from the new EU funding programmes.