Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-21649

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to create the role of Cultural Ambassador for Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-21443

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how the submissions that have been made to its National Discussion on Transient Visitor (Tourist) Taxes in Scotland will inform its plan to legislate for a transient visitor levy.

Our national discussion on the tourism tax ran from 23 November to 25 January. We undertook to publish anonymised readouts of the roundtable discussion sessions and the written evidence received, where correspondents have given us permission to do so.

The national discussion drew out important issues and concerns which will need to be considered through the upcoming formal consultation. That formal consultation will be taken forward in 2019, in a manner consistent with the Scottish Government’s approach to tax policy formulation and normal consultation for a bill.

Question reference: S5W-21469

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to conducting an assessment of the impact of passive smoking around children’s playgrounds, outdoor sports facilities and play parks.

Scotland has already led the way on assessments into the potential impact of passive smoking around children’s playgrounds, outdoor sports facilities and play parks. Evidence shows that the risks from second hand smoke are low but the visibility of smoking is likely to influence children’s behaviour and lead to harm in the longer term.

The Scottish Health Survey reports that exposure to second hand smoke among children and young people continues to decline as smoking around young people becomes less socially acceptable.

Question reference: S5W-21318

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how the introduction of changing places toilets to building regulations is progressing.

Question reference: S5W-21320

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 18 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the retrofitting of changing places toilets in public buildings.

Disabled people continue to experience inequality and so cannot enjoy their rights on an equal basis to others. Creating a fairer and more equal society is a priority for this government.

This is why the Scottish Government is consulting on proposals for the introduction of a requirement for changing places toilets in certain types of larger new buildings, with the intent of introducing any requirements in late 2019.

The Scottish Government strongly encourages owners of existing public buildings to consider what could be done to support access to their buildings for all users - particularly regarding installing changing places toilets.

To increase the number of CPTs, officials continue to work very closely with PAMIS ( Promoting A More Inclusive Society ) and key stakeholders focussing on areas in Scotland where there are no CPTs or limited numbers. Information and locations can be found at: http://pamis.org.uk/campaigns/changing-places-toilets/

Question reference: S5W-21319

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to encourage the fitting of more changing places toilets across the transport network.

There are currently 185 Changing Places Toilets (CPTs) throughout Scotland and the Scottish Government remains committed to increasing this number so that people with complex needs have an accessible network of suitable toilets, can get out and about and are linked to their communities.

To increase the number of CPTs, policy officials continue to work very closely with PAMIS ( Promoting A More Inclusive Society ) and key stakeholders focussing on areas in Scotland where there are no CPTs or limited numbers. Information and locations can be found at: http://pamis.org.uk/campaigns/changing-places-toilets/

CPTs are available at an increasing number of locations on the transport network in Scotland. For example, they are available in or near both A grade railway stations, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has provided a CPT at the Brodick Ferry Terminal and a number of local transport authorities have also installed CPTs, such as at the Galashiels Transport Interchange. In line with Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework , we are committed to improving the experiences of all disabled people when travelling. We are therefore working to increase the number of CPTs at other locations on the network, such as motorway service areas. Scottish Ministers lease three service stations to private sector companies - on the M8 at Harthill and on the M74 at Hamilton and Bothwell.

Question reference: S5O-02900

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to forge greater links with Singapore.

Question reference: S5W-21058

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 25 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish its family justice modernisation strategy.

The Programme for Government for 2018-19 announced that there will be a Family Law Bill introduced during this parliamentary session. We will publish the Family Justice Modernisation Strategy when the Family Law Bill is introduced. The Family Justice Modernisation Strategy will set out work that is ongoing by Scottish Government and others; work that can be done via secondary legislation or by improved guidance; areas covered by the Bill; and areas that are for longer term work.

Question reference: S5W-21018

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 25 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has with groups that advocate on behalf of grandparents who seek the right to access their grandchildren following family breakdown.

We have recently consulted on the review of Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The consultation sought views on whether there should be a presumption in law that grandchildren benefit from contact with their grandparents. We are now considering next steps.

We held a number of meetings with a range of stakeholders across the country during the consultation period, including with Grandparents Apart UK and Families need Fathers Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-21016

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 25 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on revising (a) section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and (b) the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 to allow greater rights for grandparents to have access to their grandchildren.

We have recently consulted on the review of Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. Amongst other things, the consultation sought views on whether there should be a presumption in law that grandchildren benefit from contact with their grandparents. We are now considering next steps.

The Programme for Government for 2018-19 announced that there will be a Family Law Bill introduced during this parliamentary session.

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