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-09537

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 14 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support refugees who enrol at university to complete an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) qualification during their first year, and whether additional support is provided through summer school places.

The Scottish Government recognises that having English language skills is key to enabling full civic participation, including in education, and we that is why we provide funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses via the Scottish Funding Council, the body responsible for funding universities and colleges in Scotland.

Although it is up to individual universities to decide the entry requirements for any course, including language requirements, the Higher ESOL Course which is delivered mainly in colleges and schools across Scotland is recognised by all Scottish universities as one of a list of qualifications which meet general entrance requirements.

Whilst there is currently no specific government funding directed at students undertaking IELTS qualifications, support through programmes like summer school places may be available from individual universities in Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-01106

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2017
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle Islamophobia in schools.

Question reference: S5O-01086

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 7 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle and prevent youth crime in north Edinburgh.

We recognise the impact that offending behaviour can have on communities.

Timely and effective interventions are needed to keep communities and young people safe from crime and disorder. A local partnership approach is the key to confronting the behaviour and dealing with underlying issues. I am aware that the Stronger North group has played an important role in responding to issues in North Edinburgh.

This Government's Whole System Approach to youth justice has delivered an 83% reduction in children referred to the Reporter on offence grounds over the last 9 years. In Edinburgh, we have seen a 75% reduction over the same period.

Our national youth justice strategy is being driven forward with national and local partners. We will report on progress later this month.

Scotland’s approach is smart, effective and evidence-led. Prevention, early intervention and timely responses have been shown to divert young people from offending and to improving outcomes.

Question reference: S5T-00583

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken in Scotland following the recent terrorist attack in London.

Question reference: S5O-01048

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 31 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken and funding it has provided to promote the food and drink sector.

The delivery of the industry-led food and drink strategy (“Ambition 2030”) will be supported by a new three year £10million investment, with £7.5million from the public sector and, for the first time, an industry contribution of £2.5million. This builds on the significant investment of over £150 million that we have made in the food and drink sector since 2007, including £71million towards 233 projects through the Food Processing Marketing and Co-operation Grant scheme.

Question reference: S5W-09168

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 22 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering extending the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to include private companies.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ('the Act') covers private companies if they are wholly-owned by a public authority listed in schedule 1 of the Act. The Act can also be extended to organisations undertaking 'functions of a public nature' - such as the arm's length trusts providing culture, leisure and sporting services on behalf of local authorities, private prison contractors and providers of secure accommodation for children the Scottish Government has brought within scope. The Scottish Government is currently considering consultation responses following consultation on extending the Act to Registered Social Landlords.

Question reference: S5O-01032

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 May 2017
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the UK Government’s benefit cap will have on individuals and families in Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-00959

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2017
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to general practice.

Question reference: S5O-00902

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what impact cruise ships at Newhaven have had on tourism in the area and on Edinburgh as a whole.

Question reference: S5W-08777

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 12 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with Lord Bracadale’s review of hate crime legislation, and how people can take part in the process.

I am delighted that Lord Bracadale is making good progress with his review. He has today published material at www.hatecrimelegislationreview.scot which sets out the process he will follow, the key timescales, the composition of his reference group and how he plans to hear from those who have experienced hate crime and from those who apply the law as it currently stands.

Lord Bracadale wants to make this process as accessible as possible and there will be a range of options through which people can participate and engage with the review. Lord Bracadale is meeting with a wide range of interested parties to gather information and evidence about how hate crime is understood, what its impact is, and how effectively the current law deals with it. He is also inviting people to submit their experiences in confidence via a questionnaire. The views and issues expressed in the questionnaire will enable Lord Bracadale to make his consultation paper, which will be available in the summer, as relevant and informed as possible. Public events across Scotland are planned during the consultation exercise to encourage participation. More information about ways to engage with the review can obtained from Lord Bracadale’s team: [email protected]