May 06 2009
Questions for First Ministers Questions - 07/05/2009
First Ministers Questions is an exciting time. Not only is it the most entertaining part of parliamentary business, but it also says an awful lot about the agendas of the MSPs asking the questions. As regular readers will be aware, I have focused a great deal of attention on Margo MacDonald and her ‘Mckenzie friend’ question, but there is a wealth of potential stories within these questions. What are the motives behind the questions? If you have any thoughts on any of these questions then please feel free to comment… Lets get a dialogue going on these questions ahead of Thursdays session.
Questions to the First Minister, to be asked on Thursday 07/05/2009
1. Ken Macintosh MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that it has made sufficient progress in securing employment for newly qualified teachers following a probationary year.
2. Rhona Brankin MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive when it now expects to make a decision on the future of the Scottish Qualification Authority’s offices in Dalkeith.
3. George Foulkes MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the First Minister has met the chairman of the Independent Commission on Funding and Finance for Wales but not the chairman of the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution.
4. Christopher Harvie MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being put in place to enable Scotland to benefit from a higher price of oil in light of recent forecasts that the present economic crisis will not postpone the impact of peak oil.
5. Jackie Baillie MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the family planning and well woman clinic is being withdrawn from Dumbarton Health Centre. (S3O-6785)
6. Sandra White MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any progress that has been made toward the establishment of a pensioners’ parliament.
7. Charlie Gordon: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering funding part of the Clyde Fastlink project to enable it to serve the Southern General Hospital.
8. Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to increase the fines for landlords of houses in multiple occupation who do not have an HMO licence.
9. Christine Grahame MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Olympic Association and the UK Government regarding the estimated £150 million shortfall that could impact on Scottish good causes and voluntary organisations as a result of lottery funds being diverted to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
10. Ian McKee MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that suitable mechanisms are in place to allow effective review of the future of listed buildings when their preservation threatens other community interests.
Justice and Law Officers
1. John Lamont MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding the incorporation of the Road to Recovery drug strategy into prison policy on drugs.
2. Patrick Harvie MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with Strathclyde Police’s approach to policing non-violent protest.
3. Not Lodged
4. Not Lodged
5. Margo MacDonald MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce the practice of allowing a McKenzie’s friend into law courts.
6. Ross Finnie MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent paid informants are used by police forces.
7. Claire Baker MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to reverse the increase in violent crime experienced in Fife in 2007-08.
8. Sarah Boyack MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 contributes to addressing antisocial behaviour carried out by people using short-term holiday lets.
9. Jamie McGrigor MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve drug addiction services.
10. David McLetchie MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of the Glasgow pilot community court will be brought forward.
Rural Affairs and the Environment
1. Mike Pringle MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to encourage the use of fresh, local food throughout the public sector as part of its national food policy.
2. John Park MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in achieving its greener Scotland objectives.
3. Richard Baker MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the application process for the Scotland Rural Development Programme.
4. Lewis Macdonald MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what level of energy generation from waste it intends to achieve as part of its commitment to reduce the amount of waste to landfill.
5. Elizabeth Smith MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made to address flooding in Kinross-shire.
6. Nigel Don MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to promote Scottish fish and shellfish.
7. Karen Whitefield MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is with regard to the use of incinerators for waste management.
8. Peter Peacock MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive how it views the current prospects for the dairy sector.
9. James Kelly MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposal to introduce Saltire labelling for Scottish food
10. Gil Paterson MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress there has been on the national food policy.
