- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 31 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government which classifications of train are in the ScotRail fleet, broken down by the (a) average age and (b) number of trains in each classification.
Answer
This is an operational matter for ScotRail
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the Subsidy Advice Unit Report on the proposed subsidy to CalMac Ferries Limited on 17 December 2024 by the Competition and Markets Authority, whether Transport Scotland will undertake any further diligence work to ensure that the direct award of the Clyde and Hebridean Ferry Service to CalMac satisfies all of the areas for improvement identified within the report.
Answer
We welcome the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) report, which is advisory in nature. Transport Scotland officials are considering the report in detail and will then take forward the recommendations where required. Scottish Minsters have been clear on the operational, resilience, value for money and efficiency benefits of operating the Clyde and Hebridean Ferry Service (CHFS) network as a whole, and this remains the intent.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the Subsidy Advice Unit Report on the proposed subsidy to CalMac Ferries Limited on 17 December 2024 by the Competition and Markets Authority, whether Transport Scotland will (a) explain and (b) evidence whether bundling the network ensures that the subsidy is proportionate to the policy objective and limited to the minimum necessary, which could include cost modelling of unbundled routes, which might permit more efficient business models.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33834 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the Subsidy Advice Unit Report on the proposed subsidy to CalMac Ferries Limited on 17 December 2024 by the Competition and Markets Authority, whether Transport Scotland will (a)
explain and (b) evidence for what reason an open competitive tender would not
allow the policy objective to be met with a lower level of subsidy.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33834 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33168 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, how many inspections were carried out on the overbridges and overpasses on the A90 in each of the last three years, and what the main findings of these were.
Answer
A total of 102 inspections were undertaken between 2022 and 2024, broken down as follows:
2022 – 18 Inspections
2023 – 52 Inspections
2024 – 32 Inspections
The inspections indicated that all of the bridges are in an acceptable condition. There are a number of new structures on AWPR, which are not yet due their first planned inspection. When these are inspected they are expected to be in good condition.
All trunk road structures and assets are subjected to regular inspections to ensure the continued integrity of the structures and identify any necessary repairs.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a list of Energy Consent Unit decisions made in the last year, and which of its ministers made each determination.
Answer
All the decisions made by the Energy Consents Unit and determinations made by Scottish Ministers are publicly available on our Energy Consents website: https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspx
Ministers whose responsibilities included making determinations in the last year are: Dr Alasdair Allan MSP as Minister for Climate Action, myself as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Miri McAllan MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, and Neil Gray MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy. Decisions made by Scottish Ministers are done so on the basis of collective responsibility. All decisions reached by the Scottish Ministers, individually or collectively, are binding on all members of the Government.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 31 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to reduce the speed limit on most urban roads to 20mph.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that 20 mph speed limits are implemented on all appropriate roads by the end of 2025.
All local authorities are committed to meeting the 2025 deadline and have developed their own plans designating their own streets and £4m has been provided to 21 local authorities this financial year to aid implementation. Transport Scotland has issued national guidance to support local authorities with the roll-out of 20mph speed limits on appropriate roads.
Early feedback from Borders and Highland Councils, as early adopters, has been positive with a recognition by local communities that this initiative can significantly reduce road casualties, encourage sustainable travel, and foster safer, more vibrant communities.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many surgeries have been delayed due to the presence of so-called medical boarders in surgical wards in each year since 2018, broken down by NHS board.
Answer
The Scottish Government has confirmed with Public Health Scotland that Public Health Scotland do not hold information on delays/ cancellations due to medical boarders.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what financial or policy commitments it made during the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy’s meetings at the Handelsblatt Energy Summit in Berlin.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 13 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what legislative or policy changes it is considering to ensure that hospital capacity is not unduly impacted by any patients who are deemed “surgically fit for discharge” but refuse to leave, while ensuring patient rights are upheld.
Answer
Existing policies and practices are in place to address situations where patients who are deemed ready for discharge refuse to leave hospital.
The Scottish Government deems the current policy is sufficient and there are currently no planned changes.