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 335 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S4W-24738

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 March 2015

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24472 by Michael Matheson on 3 March 2015, how many sex offenders there are in the prison estate and how many do not access the courses offered, broken down by prison.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

‘‘There are currently around 900 offenders in custody who have a current conviction for a sexual offence. It is not possible to provide definitive figures of how many do not access sex offender treatment from this population, as this changes on a regular basis.

Figures which are available indicate that of these prisoners currently in custody around 120 have completed or are currently undertaking the programme. Around a further 150 have been assessed as requiring treatment and may proceed to do so according to their case management plan, their continued motivation to do so and as resources allow. Around 100 have been assessed as benefiting from treatment but currently refuse it.

We do not have information on the remainder. They will largely comprise those in the process of assessment, those who refuse to be assessed and those who will not be assessed due to expected date of liberation. Set out in the following table is a snapshot of convicted sex offenders currently held in each prison. These figures should be treated with caution given daily movements in population and progression arrangements.’’

Establishment	Convicted Sex Offenders
Addiewell	5
Barlinnie	198
Cornton Vale	2
Dumfries	75
Edinburgh	167
Glenochil	334
Grampian	22
Greenock	9
Inverness	11
Kilmarnock	3
Low Moss	0
Open Estate	9
Perth	35
Polmont	39

Question reference: S4O-04091

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop the abandoned harbour area in Stranraer.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting sustainable economic growth in Dumfries and Galloway by working closely with Scottish Enterprise and Dumfries and Galloway Council as partners in the South of Scotland Alliance.

I welcome the good progress that Dumfries and Galloway Council is continuing to make with their rural economic development programme. The redevelopment of the Stranraer waterfront is a key part of that ambitious vision for growth in the south of Scotland.

I understand that the land around the former ferry terminal in Stranraer is still owned by Stena Line and any future use of that land would be a matter for them, in consultation with Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Question reference: S4W-24472

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 March 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what courses Scottish Prison Service facilities provide specifically for sex offenders and what the uptake is.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: “Moving Forward: Making Changes (MF:MC) is the treatment programme available to specifically address sexual offending. This programme targets those offenders who have committed a sexual offence whose risk is assessed to be moderate or above. Sexual offenders can also access any offending behaviour programme available within SPS if it is deemed they have needs in addition to sexual offending. MF:MC is a rolling programme where the group continually runs with a maximum of eight group members. When one group member completes treatment and exits the group, another group member will roll in to begin their treatment. SPS currently have 140 sex offenders assessed as requiring MF:MC but of these a proportion of them will refuse to engage in treatment. Motivation to undertake treatment tends to fluctuate. Additionally there are 148 listed as ‘not suitable’ for a variety of reasons such as serving too short a sentence to undertake treatment or not meeting programme inclusion criteria such as being low risk. There are a further 64 listed for further assessment once more information becomes available, for example, once they have completed other programme work. There are seven MF:MC programmes currently being delivered across HMP Glenochil, HMP Edinburgh, HMP Barlinnie and HM YOI Polmont. Each group holds eight group members and typically around 84 offenders overall will complete the programme each year.”

Question reference: S4W-24555

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 20 February 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 2 March 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that traces of the toxin, DEHP, have been found in water samples taken at Whitelee wind farm and what action it has taken to establish the cause of the contamination.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for assessing groundwater quality, where required. A 2009 report on the water quality samples taken during Whitelee wind farm construction, which received recent media attention, was produced by a contractor who sampled water quality on behalf of Scottish Power. These samples were taken during the period 2006 to 2008 and the report submitted to East Ayrshire Council. SEPA has assessed the information in the report, which was inconclusive as to the source of the DEHP, and will liaise with East Ayrshire Council to establish whether any more recent reports were prepared, which may provide more information to help identify the source of the contamination.

Question reference: S4O-03941

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government how many vacant beds there are in secure units for looked-after children.

Question reference: S4O-03932

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in setting up the Energy Jobs Taskforce.

Question reference: S4W-23676

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 12 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 13 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what ministerial engagements have taken place in the (a) Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and (b) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency since May 2007.

Information relating to ministerial engagements since May 2007 in the constituencies of Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley (Kilmarnock and Loudoun prior to May 2011) and Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley are in the following table.

Details of all ministerial engagements are proactively published on the Scottish Government website at:

http:--www.Scotland.gov.uk-About-People-14944-Events-Engagements-MinisterialEngagements

Date	Title	Engagement	Constituency
10-07-2007	Minister for Children and Early Years	East Ayrshire area visit	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
10-07-2007	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to North West Kilmarnock Area Centre	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
10-07-2007	Minister for Children and Early Years	School visit and announcement of free school meals	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
18-07-2007	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth	Local authority seminar	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
25-07-2007	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	North West Youth Project	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
28-08-2007	Minister for Schools and Skills	Meet director and convenor	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
31-08-2007	Minister for Children and Early Years	Meeting with Kay Gilmour, East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
21-09-2007	Minister for Children and Early Years	Opening of Daldorch senior campus	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
24-11-2007	Minister for Children and Early Years	Attendance at Kilmarnock v Motherwell match	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
21-01-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to Daldorch House School	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
23-01-2008	First Minister	Andrew Barclay Railway Heritage Centre	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
25-01-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	More Choices, More Chances visit, Kilmarnock College	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
25-01-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Meeting with East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
25-01-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Formal opening of Mauchline Primary School	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
28-01-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Meeting with Councillor Douglas Reid	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
01-02-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to Crosshouse Primary School re free school meals	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
25-02-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to PEACE childcare facility	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
26-02-2008	Minister for Environment	Opening of recycle unit	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
29-02-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	The Lighthouse Foundation	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-03-2008	Minister for Community Safety	Visit to Girvan Academy	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
06-03-2008	Minister for Community Safety	Visit to Grange Academy	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
20-03-2008	Minister for Public Health	NHS board allocations for alcohol services	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
01-05-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Meeting at Dumfries House	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
01-05-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Meeting with East Ayrshire Council	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
01-05-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Launch of rural schools consultation	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
09-05-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Attendance at Girvan horizons conference	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
19-05-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to Doon Academy	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
19-05-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Visit to Doon Academy	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
31-05-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Launch of Story of Art in South West Scotland	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
01-06-2008	Minister for Communities and Sport	Scottish Citylink Junior Cup Final	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
02-06-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Senior charge nurse and equalities indicator	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-06-2008	First Minister	Dumfries House formal opening	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
13-06-2008	Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture	Awards ceremony for Auchinleck summer project team	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
16-06-2008	Minister for Children and Early Years	Additional support for learning parents group	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
02-07-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth	Signing East Ayrshire Single Outcome Agreement	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
13-08-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Duke of Edinburgh’s Award	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
12-09-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Visit to West Clerkland Farm	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
02-10-2008	First Minister	Finn Kydland	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
03-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth	Council of Economic Advisers meeting	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
03-10-2008	First Minister	Council of Economic Advisers	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
06-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Meeting with board chairman and chief executive	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Meeting with Area Partnership Forum	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Meeting with Area Clinical Forum	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Meeting Patient Experience Group	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Visit to North West Kilmarnock Area Centre	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-10-2008	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Annual review – NHS Ayrshire and Arran	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
15-10-2008	Minister for Community Safety	Road to Recovery Autumn Tour	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
19-11-2008	Minister for Communities and Sport	Opening of new housing development	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
01-12-2008	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Official launch East Ayrshire	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
16-01-2009	Minister for Children and Early Years	Attendance at performance of Be Near Me	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
17-01-2009	Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change	Burns supper, Kilmarnock Operatic Society	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
24-01-2009	Minister for Children and Early Years	Official Homecoming Burns Supper	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
24-01-2009	First Minister	Homecoming Burns Supper	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
26-01-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Opening of Alloway Primary School	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
28-01-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	East Ayrshire Risk Management Centre Opening	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
02-02-2009	Minister for Public Health	Visit to newsagent’s	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
16-02-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	What can I Doo? – cashback project	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
18-03-2009	Minister for Housing and Communities	Launch of Kilmarnock Townscape Heritage	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
31-03-2009	Minister for Children and Early Years	Girvan regeneration session	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
15-04-2009	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Girvan visit	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
15-04-2009	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Visit to FMC BioPolymer	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
11-05-2009	Minister for Children and Early Years	CFE event, Kilmarnock	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
15-05-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment	Billy Bowie Tankers, Kilmarnock	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
16-05-2009	First Minister	Burns Monument Centre	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
18-05-2009	Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution	Visit to Rowallan Castle	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
26-05-2009	Minister for Housing and Communities	Visit to Atrium Homes development	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
26-05-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Cumnock 'School of Football' CashBack for Communities event	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
01-06-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Visit to HMP Kilmarnock	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
03-07-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth	Visit to Diageo	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
03-07-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth	Meeting with East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
03-07-2009	Minister for Housing and Communities	Launch of Addaction report	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
15-07-2009	First Minister	Signing Diageo petition	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
21-07-2009	Minister for Housing and Communities	Meeting with East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
23-07-2009	Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change	Trip on Stagecoach Bio-bus from Cumnock	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
26-07-2009	First Minister	Rally – Diageo	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
11-08-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Mounted police branch	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
11-08-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Kilmarnock Sheriff Court	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
22-09-2009	Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution	Dumfries House	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
12-10-2009	Minister for Public Health and Sport	Ayrshire and Arran annual review	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
21-10-2009	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Visit to Mahle factory, Scottish engineering	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
21-10-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Opening of East Ayrshire credit union	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
09-11-2009	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Launch of the West of Scotland Loan Fund	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
10-11-2009	Minister for Schools and Skills	Visit to East Ayrshire Council and Grange Academy	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
24-11-2009	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Kilmarnock College	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
28-11-2009	Minister for Housing and Communities	Homecoming Scotland festival	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
29-11-2009	Minister for Children and Early Years	Opening of Robert Burns museum	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
14-12-2009	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Glasgow – Kilmarnock rail enhancement project	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
14-12-2009	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to East Ayrshire Youth Advocacy services	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
12-01-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Launch of pan-Ayrshire prevention of homelessness service	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
22-01-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Attending the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award dinner and presenting the award	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
25-01-2010	Minister for Community Safety	Visit to East Ayrshire alcohol and drugs partnership	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
27-01-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Opening of Rosebank resource centre	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
03-03-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Visit to Break the Silence project	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-03-2010	Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change	Press event - A77 Burnside public exhibition in advance of works	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
15-03-2010	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Pan-Ayrshire event - supporting development of Ayrshire through economic, social and environmental engagement	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
14-04-2010	Minister for Schools and Skills	Photo call with Improve Ltd Sector Skills Council to mark their new level 2 MA – "Grants Haggis"	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
10-05-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Visit to East Ayrshire Council to discuss shared partnership agenda	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
10-05-2010	Minister for Children and Early Years	Visit to go play venture	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
11-05-2010	Minister for Children and Early Years	East Ayrshire learning disability partnership – practitioners event	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
12-05-2010	Minister for Schools and Skills	Visit to Shortlees Primary School – Councillor Douglas Reid, leader, East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
15-05-2010	Minister for Children and Early Years	Cluny 2010 Scotland	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
23-05-2010	First Minister	Scottish FA Junior Cup	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
07-06-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Women in Focus project for women offenders in South West Scotland	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
24-06-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Sixth FIFA Women's World Cup 2009-11 qualifier: Scotland v Denmark	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
24-06-2010	Minister for Public Health and Sport	FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 qualification match – Scotland v Denmark	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
05-07-2010	Minister for Housing and Communities	Hope Homes development visit	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
05-07-2010	Minister for Housing and Communities	Youth on bikes scheme visit	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
11-08-2010	Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change	Girvan station	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
11-08-2010	Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change	Richard Carr (SAYLSA) and Peter Jeal (Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce)	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
31-08-2010	Minister for Children and Early Years	Launch of Youthbuild project	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Visit to Onthank Gaelic Unit	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Visit to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
06-09-2010	Minister for Children and Early Years	Presentation – Get Stuck In school meal incentive scheme	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
06-09-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Visit to Dumfries House	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Summer Cabinet – Year of Food and Drink reception	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Summer Cabinet – Year of Food and Drink reception	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Year of Food and Drink reception	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	First Minister	Year of Food and Drink (Summer Cabinet)	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and The Environment	Young farmers’ stock judging event	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
06-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Cabinet dinner	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Public discussion – Scottish Government vision for Scotland	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	First Minister	Summer Cabinet public discussion - Scottish Government's vision for Scotland	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Public discussion – Scottish Government vision for Scotland	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Tour of Kilmarnock Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Visit to Crosshouse Hospital - SPARRA patients	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and The Environment	Visit to Braehead Foods	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Scottish Maritime Museum	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	With Sheriffs in Kilmarnock	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
07-09-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Scottish rugby union and schools of rugby visit - CashBack for Communities	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
24-10-2010	First Minister	Dumfries House (sustainable food conference)	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
24-10-2010	First Minister	HRH Duke of Rothesay	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
25-10-2010	First Minister	Sustainable food conference	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
25-10-2010	Minister for Environment	Morrison's supermarket sustainable farming conference with the Duke of Rothesay	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
03-11-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and The Environment	Visit to Dumfries House to see at first hand the development of the estate	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
19-11-2010	Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change	A77 Park End to Bennane	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
23-11-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Visit to Crosshouse Hospital	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
23-11-2010	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Medics against Violence	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
30-11-2010	Minister for Children and Early Years	St Andrew's Primary School	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
21-01-2011	Minister for Children and Early Years	New Scottish children’s reporters’ association office	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
21-01-2011	First Minister	For opening of Burns museum	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
21-01-2011	First Minister	East and South Ayrshire Councillors	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
21-01-2011	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Robert Burns Birthplace Museum	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
22-01-2011	Minister for Housing and Communities	Public opening of the Burns museum community event	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
22-01-2011	Minister for Culture and External Affairs	Robert Burns Humanitarian Award dinner	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
24-01-2011	Minister for Children and Early Years	Muirkirk Nursery class	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
24-01-2011	Minister for Children and Early Years	Alloway Primary School	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
22-02-2011	Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism	Meeting with Willie Coffey and Douglas Reid – Kilmarnock regeneration post Diageo	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
28-02-2011	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	Crosshouse Hospital - quality strategy visit	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
11-03-2011	Minister for Children and Early Years	Rainbows and Puddles outdoor nursery	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
14-03-2011	Minister for Children and Early Years	Fenwick Weavers Co-operative 250th anniversary	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
14-03-2011	Minister for Housing and Communities	Council and town centre regeneration fund projects visit	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
24-03-2011	Minister for Children and Early Years	Yipworld Accolades 2011	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
29-05-2011	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Emirates Junior Cup Final	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
31-05-2011	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	HRH Duke of Rothesay dinner and ceilidh	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
13-06-2011	First Minister	Lunch with Senor Galan	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
13-06-2011	First Minister	Official opening of Mark Hill and Arecleoch wind farms	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
13-06-2011	First Minister	SAS International and meeting with John Gemmell	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
04-07-2011	Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities	Launch of the next phase of Encore regeneration project	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
13-07-2011	Minister for Transport and Islands	Adam Ingram	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
13-07-2011	Minister for Transport and Islands	Park End to Bennane	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
04-08-2011	Minister for Children and Young People	Visit to stepping stones	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
09-08-2011	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Tour and lunch at Dumfries House	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
09-08-2011	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
09-08-2011	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Knockroon site visit	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
09-08-2011	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Leader and chief executive of Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
09-08-2011	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Tour of North West Area Centre	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
04-10-2011	Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs	The Lighthouse Foundation	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
13-10-2011	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Community justice project - Kilmarnock graffiti removal	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
01-11-2011	Minister for Children and Young People	Wellington Outdoor Nursery	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
06-12-2011	Minister for Public Health	NHS Ayrshire and Arran	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
26-01-2012	First Minister	STV appeal Burns supper	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
27-01-2012	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Dark Sky Observatory	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
05-03-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Institute of Healthcare Associated Infection	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
06-03-2012	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Closing event of the Girvan Charrette	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
22-03-2012	First Minister	Meeting with Sadie McBlain, sister of Scott Simpson	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
04-04-2012	First Minister	Kilmarnock College	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
01-05-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Visit to Culzean Castle	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
18-05-2012	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Ayrshire Federation of Small Businesses	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
18-05-2012	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Scottish Land and Estates	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
28-05-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Scottish Youth Theatre	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
28-05-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Support for families of prisoners initiative	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
29-05-2012	Minister for Transport and Islands	Atrium Homes development affordable housing	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
06-06-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment	CAP seminar for Scotsheep	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
03-07-2012	First Minister	William Grant and Sons Girvan Distillery	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
15-07-2012	Minister for Children and Young People	Mr Bloom’s Nursery Roadshow	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
19-07-2012	Minister for Transport and Islands	A77	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
31-07-2012	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
03-08-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities	Boiler scrappage scheme	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
03-08-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities	Building Banter forum	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
03-08-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities	East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
16-08-2012	Minister for Youth and Women's Employment	Forum for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Skills	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
10-09-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Patna Primary School	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
10-09-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Isla Brown to discuss crossroads	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
10-09-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Stephanie Primrose, East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
20-09-2012	First Minister	Royal race day dinner	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
05-10-2012	First Minister	Opening of Dark Sky Observatory	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
30-10-2012	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Greenburn surface mine	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
05-11-2012	Minister for Housing and Welfare	Councillor Douglas Reid leader of East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
19-11-2012	Minister for Youth and Women's Employment	Centrestage Music Theatre	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
19-11-2012	Minister for Youth and Women's Employment	East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
21-11-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	Link Up project	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
03-12-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	Entrepreneurial Spark West Coast	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
17-12-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	NHS Ayrshire and Arran annual review	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
17-12-2012	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	NHS Ayrshire and Arran non-executives	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
18-01-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	East Ayrshire interaction project	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
18-01-2013	Minister for Transport and Islands	A77 Maybole Bypass – public exhibition	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
21-01-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Ayrshire cancer support website	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
31-01-2013	First Minister	STV appeal Burns supper	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
15-03-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	Meeting and working lunch with Councillor Maccoll and chief executive of East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
15-03-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	Meeting with Creative Place Award Team	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
15-03-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	Meeting with the Creative Minds Team	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
15-03-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	Visit to genealogy centre at Burns Monument Centre	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
15-03-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	Visit to the Dick Institute	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
25-03-2013	Minister for Housing and Welfare	East Ayrshire Council's new build development	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
03-04-2013	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Drawing Places event, Dumfries House	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
03-04-2013	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Knockroon housing development	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
03-04-2013	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Opening of Rothesay House	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
15-04-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Kilmarnock ambulance station	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
15-04-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Launch of the SmartCare and United4Health projects	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
22-04-2013	Lord Advocate	Funeral of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service member of staff	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
25-04-2013	Minister for Transport and Islands	A77 ground breaking ceremony	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
26-04-2013	Minister for Housing and Welfare	Coalfields Regeneration Trust small grants programme	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
20-05-2013	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Scottish Coal taskforce	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
10-06-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Meeting with John Burns	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
10-06-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Official opening of Ayrshire Vision Support Service	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
17-06-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities	Opening of former Kilmarnock Opera House	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
01-07-2013	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Coal taskforce	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
01-07-2013	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Meeting with coal ex-employees	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
30-08-2013	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	East Ayrshire coal site visit	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
09-09-2013	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Scottish Coal taskforce	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
09-09-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities	Douglas Fraser, BBC	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
09-09-2013	Minister for Housing and Welfare	East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau annual general meeting	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
07-11-2013	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	Launch of Town Centre Action Plan	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
06-12-2013	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	East Ayrshire business event	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
23-12-2013	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Ayr hospital	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
08-01-2014	Minister for Public Health	NHS Ayshire and Arran visit	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
14-01-2014	Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages	Councillor Primrose	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
14-01-2014	Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages	Grange Academy	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
14-01-2014	Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages	Willowbank School	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
20-01-2014	Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism	Federation of Small Businesses –Chamber of Commerce lunch and roundtable discussion	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
29-01-2014	Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs	Speaking at Creative Place Awards 2014	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
18-02-2014	Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment	The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
28-02-2014	Minister for Housing and Welfare	With energy agency to externally insulated properties (HEEPS: ABS and Energy Company Obligation funding)	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
27-03-2014	Minister for Public Health	Let’s talk about…thinking differently conference in East Ayrshire	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
01-04-2014	Minister for Transport and Islands	A77 Bogend improvement scheme	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
01-04-2014	Minister for Transport and Islands	Ayrshire road alliance	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
07-05-2014	Cabinet Secretary for Justice	CashBack for Communities – Scottish rugby funding announcement	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
20-06-2014	Minister for Housing and Welfare	Coalfield Regeneration Trust funding with Adam Ingram MSP	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
25-06-2014	First Minister	Meeting with Klin group and East Ayrshire Council	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
25-06-2014	First Minister	Public question and answer session	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
25-06-2014	First Minister	To mark the sod-cutting of Ayrshire College's new Kilmarnock campus	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
02-07-2014	First Minister	The Walled Garden, Dumfries House	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
14-07-2014	Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform	Seaview Hotel	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
24-07-2014	Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	33Fifty Youth Leadership Programme event	Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
04-08-2014	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	Scotland's Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
06-08-2014	Minister for Children and Young People	Play day visit	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
12-08-2014	Minister for Housing and Welfare	East Ayrshire Council house build programme	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
30-09-2014	Minister for Children and Young People	Visit to East Ayrshire Council – early years	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
04-10-2014	Minister for Housing and Welfare	East Ayrshire Tenants and Residents Federation annual conference	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
08-10-2014	First Minister	Centrestage Music Theatre	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
27-10-2014	Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport	University Hospital Crosshouse	Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley

Question reference: S4W-23677

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 12 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what ministerial engagements are planned for the (a) Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and (b) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency from 15 December 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Question reference: S4O-03834

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government when the independent commission to examine council tax alternatives will begin its work, and what timetable it will work to.

Question reference: S4O-03662

Asked by: Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by David Stewart on 13 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of recent events at other parliaments, whether it plans to carry out a security assessment of the campus.