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-26509

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26081 by Fergus Ewing on 12 November 2019, how it ensures that the guidance is followed at a local level.

Tree planting applications made to Scottish Forestry must include an ‘issues log’ to explain how the planting design takes into account factors such as the impact on communities and agricultural land. All proposals are carefully assessed by Scottish Forestry staff and checked by a senior manager before approval. For significant projects this includes seeking advice from the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division to check that proposals comply with the Scottish Government guidance for planting woodland on agricultural land.

Question reference: S5W-26280

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 26 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the provision of Wi-Fi in schools.

Improving access to technology, which includes connectivity, is a key objective in the national Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy. However, it is for local authorities themselves to decide on connectivity arrangements in their schools, whether that be wired or wireless. The Scottish Government supports local authorities by offering to fund a high-speed broadband connection to a central point in each local authority for use by education establishments.

Question reference: S5W-26274

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of available capacity to treat patients from Dumfries and Galloway requiring radiotherapy in Carlisle.

A very small number of NHS Dumfries and Galloway (NHS D&G) patients choose to access radiotherapy in Carlisle and while NHS D&G support patients in that choice. However, the range of treatments available is more limited that at one of the cancer centres and it is always advised that patients undertake treatment within one of their local cancer networks to allow best multi-disciplinary working and communication between teams throughout their cancer journey.

Question reference: S5W-26287

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 26 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to support a 3G football pitch in Gretna.

Question reference: S5W-26285

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 26 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that approved noise levels for windfarms should be reviewed.

Question reference: S5W-26275

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 25 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is given to existing habitats and wildlife before granting permission for new large-scale commercial forestry planting.

Landowners seeking permission for forestry planting must conduct surveys to identify any habitats or species that are present on site and take them into account as they design planting schemes. Projects must ensure that important habitats and species are protected and impacts are minimised.

Before granting permission Scottish Forestry carefully assesses all planting proposals to ensure they comply with environmental legislation and the UK Forestry Standard. Where schemes do not comply they must be modified or may be refused consent.

Question reference: S5W-26284

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 25 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of community concerns about proposed new commercial forestry at (a) Bogrie, (b) Kirkpatrick Fleming and (c) Canonbie and its impact on local residents and the use of good quality agricultural land, and what action it is taking in this regard.

Scottish Forestry is not aware of reports of community concerns, but is aware that land in these areas has recently been sold and understands that some areas of new forestry planting are being considered. Scottish Forestry has not so far been contacted about the planting proposals but will of course play a full role applying all relevant guidance and standards to considering any such proposals received.

Question reference: S5W-26281

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of parental, teacher and pupil concerns relating to poor Wi-Fi connectivity at Lochmaben and Canonbie primary schools.

Question reference: S5W-26279

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that Canonbie Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway has been left without central heating following boiler failure, and what action is being taking in this regard.

This is a matter for Dumfries and Galloway Council. I am aware that temporary heaters were relocated to Canonbie Primary School due to an issue with the school's boiler.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has stated that the boiler is working again. The Council has advised that replacement of the boiler will be considered for next financial year outwith the heating period when impact on the school will be minimised.

Question reference: S5W-26282

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 25 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of community concerns regarding new commercial forestry planting at Cormilligan Farm near Tynron and its impact on local roads, and what action it is taking in this regard.

The Scottish Government is aware of the community concerns regarding forestry planting at Cormilligan farm and the impact on local roads.

During the development of the planting proposal the potential impact on local roads resulting from future timber harvests in Cormilligan and nearby forests was carefully considered. Adjustments were made to future harvesting plans up to around 2060, to avoid peaks of activity and ensure that the demand on local roads was acceptable. This approach was agreed with the Highways Authority, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and the planting proposal was approved in July 2019.