Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-27024

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 29 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what resources will be allocated to the production of an alternative set of figures to GERS, as proposed by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work.

The GERS publication explicitly states that it shows Scotland’s position within the UK and not as an independent nation. As the decisions of the UK Government increasingly go against the interests and democratic wishes of the people of Scotland, it is more important than ever that we complete the necessary steps to hold a referendum on independence.

The Scottish Government produced a comprehensive plan for an independent Scotland in 2014. As we set out in the Programme for Government, we will undertake the necessary work to update that plan and ensure that the people of Scotland have the information they need to make an informed choice over the future of their country. I will set out my plans for this in due course.

Question reference: S5O-04035

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to increase the number of young people taking SQA qualifications in modern languages.

Question reference: S5O-04000

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with potential buyers for the ScotRail franchise.

Question reference: S5W-26549

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 6 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to use trans-labial ultrasound scans to locate implanted mesh in a woman’s body.

Translabial scanning is not presently offered routinely in Scotland or England, a position supported by NICE and NIHR who indicate there is no clinical evidence to support its use and that more research would be welcomed. Nor is it performed in two centres in the USA recently visited by the Chief Medical Officer and Scottish clinicians. Instead, MRI scanning is used in Glasgow, where required, to aid the accurate identification of the position of mesh within the body. Radiologists have become expert at interpreting the resulting images due to the volume of experience accrued.

However there is recognition that TLS can offer additional reassurance to patients and active consideration is being given to its use together with other emerging modalities such as a 3D transvaginal scanning.

Question reference: S5O-03926

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that, since 2009, the number of GP practices in NHS Tayside has fallen from 69 to 63, while the average practice list size has increased.

Question reference: S5O-03892

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any preparations for working with a Labour-led UK administration.

Question reference: S5O-03849

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers.

Question reference: S5W-26407

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 26 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to using the mutual investment model (MIM) for funding infrastructure projects and, if so, what its response is to the comment by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly for Wales in its report, Inquiry into the Welsh Government’s capital funding sources, that "it is hard to establish a significant difference between the two models [MIM and PFI], specifically as to how MIM offers greater value for money than previous PFI models".

The Scottish Government has committed to a significant, ongoing boost in annual investment in vital infrastructure in the National Infrastructure Mission. This enables Scotland to reach the level of international competitors.

The Mission will be funded and financed from a combination of approaches. Alongside capital grant and capital borrowing, a range of tools and approaches will be deployed, including our potential to utilise a Scottish version of the Welsh Mutual Investment Model (MIM) as recommended by the Scottish Futures Trust.

The constraints and tight limits on Scottish Government capital borrowing under the Fiscal Framework make revenue finance a necessity to build the infrastructure we need. Were broader borrowing powers available to the Scottish Government, we could re-visit consideration of the best tools and approaches to deploy.

The Welsh Finance Committee acknowledged benefits of the Mutual Investment Model, noting, “MIM is an improvement in terms of community benefits and oversight of projects”. The Welsh Finance Committee report also noted, “The majority of evidence from witnesses agreed that MIM is an improvement on the previous PFI models utilised in the UK”.

Question reference: S5O-03831

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the establishment of a Scottish stock exchange.

Question reference: S5F-03732

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2019

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is supporting shipbuilding in Fife and across Scotland.

Tell us your views

Seòmar agus comataidhean