- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent investigation by The Scotsman, which reportedly found that non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, are failing to disclose key financial and transparency details at key intervals.
Answer
Public bodies listed in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 have a duty to comply fully with responsibilities set out for them in the Act. I expect them to discharge these duties, including in relation to the publication of financial and other transparency details.
While it is for those public bodies to ensure that they fulfil all statutory duties to which they are subject, I have written to chairs and chief executives of these public bodies, in which I have reminded them of these duties.
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an independent review of the current landscape of non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, to ensure that they are fit for purpose and providing taxpayers value for money, and whether it will review the remuneration paid to (a) chairpersons, (b) non-executive directors and (c) executives, in light of the recent findings from The Scotsman investigation.
Answer
Scottish Government’s responsibilities for its public bodies include taking appropriate steps to ensure that the landscape is appropriate. This does not require an independent review.
As part of the Public Service Reform programme, we will look to ensure the landscape and operations of public bodies are fit to deliver sustainable public services which meet present and future needs across Scotland.
The Scottish Government’s approach to public sector pay features specific controls for higher earners, to help ensure spending by public bodies remains affordable and delivers value for money. This includes a requirement for a 10% reduction for new Chief Executive appointments, unless market conditions or recruitment and retention issues require otherwise.
Following a commitment in the 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy, an internal review of the Chief Executive Framework has been undertaken. It is expected the report will be submitted to Ministers in early summer.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it last reviewed its flag-flying policy.
Answer
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body last reviewed its flag-flying policy at its meeting on Thursday 9th May. The SPCB discussed its policy on the flying of flags at Holyrood and how significant
events and/or anniversaries were marked. The SPCB confirmed it remained
content with the current Policy and agreed a framework to aid decisions on
requests to fly additional flags.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to re-examine the installation of a fixed link between Cowal and the Isle of Bute, as originally proposed in the option appraisal for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27548 on 29 May 2024. 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: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent investigation into non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, by The Scotsman, which reportedly found that 66 of 114 quangos have failed to publish financial information as required by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.
Answer
Public bodies listed in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 have a duty to comply fully with responsibilities set out for them in the Act. I expect them to fulfil these duties, including in relation to the publication of financial information.
While it is for those public bodies to ensure that they fulfil all statutory duties to which they are subject, I have written to chairs and chief executives of these public bodies, in which I have reminded them of these duties.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed Education Bill, as set out in its Programme for Government 2023-24.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the system and culture change required to improve outcomes and support professionals in classrooms and education settings all over Scotland. As part of this work, a Bill will be laid before parliament this year which will underpin the establishment of a new qualifications body and an independent officeholder for education inspection, to be in place in the Autumn of 2025.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to re-examine the installation of a fixed link between the Isle of Jura and the mainland, as originally proposed in the option appraisal for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27548 on 29 May 2024. 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: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to re-examine the installation of a fixed link between the Isle of Jura and Isle of Islay, as originally proposed in the option appraisal for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27548 on 29 May 2024. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it will mark Pride Month, which takes place between 1 and 30 June 2024.
Answer
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has previously accepted requests to fly the Rainbow flag to mark Edinburgh Pride
Day, which usually falls on the last Saturday of June. To date, the SPCB has
not received a request to fly the Rainbow flag this year. Other ways events can be marked include Members’ debates and Member-sponsored events.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to re-examine the installation of a fixed link between the Cowal and Inverclyde, as originally proposed in the option appraisal for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27548 on 29 May 2024. 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 .