Beatrice Wishart

17 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it will undertake with (a) hauliers, (b) the seafood sector and (c) passengers from the Northern Isles ahead of the decision on whether or not to extend the current Northern Isles Ferry Service contract from 30 June 2026 to 30 June 2028.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The decision to extend the NIFS3 contract will be carried out as part of the current contractual agreement in place. Scottish Ministers have sole discretion on whether they accept the Revised Base Case. Transport Scotland and Serco NorthLink will continue to …

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many non-UK registered vessels are licensed to fish in Scottish waters.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The licensing of non-UK fishing vessels to fish in UK waters is led by the UK Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. As of 12 August 2024, there were 1549 EU vessels, 213 Norwegian vessels and 26 Faroes vessels with UK access licences.

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Marine Directorate inspects all boxes of fish landed by non-UK vessels into Scottish ports.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In 2023, Coastal officers carried out 177 inspections from 266 non-UK vessel landings into Scotland, or 67%. Routine inspections by Coastal officers include document checks, box counts, species identification and assurance sampling checks of catch landed. The…

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what statistics it has on the quantity of fish, broken down by species, that is landed at Scottish ports by non-UK vessels.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government publish Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics. In the latest publication, supplementary table 19 details the Tonnage and value of landings by foreign vessels into Scotland by main species 2018 to 2022. See Supporting documents - Scott…

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, on average, how many boxes of landed fish from non-UK registered vessels are physically checked by its Marine Directorate each month.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Marine Directorate officers do not record how many boxes of fish they physically check. When undertaking a monitor of a vessel, officers are expected to assure themselves that the quantities landed are consistent with quantities declared. Where species are so…

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its Marine Directorate is adequately resourced, and what percentage of staff vacancies the directorate has had in each year between 2019 and 2024 to date.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Marine Directorate is adequately resourced to deliver against the First Minister's priorities and to meet its core Statutory and Regulatory obligations. We continually review our workforce management plan to ensure we are recruiting to match our delivery.…

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the percentage of fish catch that is routinely transported out of Scotland without appropriate landings documentation.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government does not make estimates of the percentage of fish transported out of Scotland without appropriate landings documentation, this is because no vessel would be given authorisation to land without appropriate Port State Control authority, …

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that fish caught in Scottish waters by non-UK vessels is appropriately landed.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government ensures all non-UK vessels landing into Scotland are authorised to do so by meeting detailed regulations which includes vessel tracking and daily electronic catch reporting, and the requirement to complete Port State Control and export…

9 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many observed landings there have been at Scottish ports of non-UK vessels over the last three years.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government publish Enforcement Data which details the number of inspections by nationality. Marine and fisheries compliance: boardings of vessels in Scottish waters - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) The latest period will shortly be published. The Marin…

8 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21294 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2023, when it will confirm a start date for the review of the NHS Scotland patient travel scheme.

Answer · Neil Gray: Regrettably, a start date for the review is not confirmed at this time. It is important that the review of the guidance on patient travel expenses reimbursement is considered within the context of wider reform on access to health care which is already in prog…

1 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to addressing agricultural equipment theft by introducing legislation similar to the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 in England and Wales.

Answer · Angela Constance: We are aware of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, enforceable in England and Wales but, as yet, have no intelligence on how effective it has been in preventing this sort of crime. The theft of agricultural plant and machinery is a significant concern…

1 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Transport Scotland's Aviation Statement, which was published on 24 July 2024, and in relation to the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme, what process it will pursue when it states that it will "consider how it could be made fairer and more effective, and to ensure…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The specification of the review of the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme has yet to be determined. The review will, however, include consultation with scheme members and other stakeholders.

30 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to providing core funding for Shetland charity, Dogs Against Drugs, in light of the submission of public petition PE2107 on behalf of The Shetland Times.

Answer · Angela Constance: I met Beatrice Wishart in July 2023 to discuss the work carried out by Dogs Against Drugs (Shetland) and have corresponded with her since. Dogs Against Drugs (Shetland) receives funding from the Scottish Government-funded Shetland Alcohol and Drugs partnershi…

26 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Serco NorthLink Ferries booking system will open for bookings for dates beyond 31 December 2024.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I fully appreciate the need to get bookings released in good time so that businesses and individuals can plan ahead. Bookings for dates beyond 31 December 2024 will be opened as soon as possible.

19 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has banned use of all pesticides known to be damaging to bee health, including neonicotinoid pesticide Cruiser SB.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government takes the potential impact of use of chemicals on public health and the environment very seriously. We continue to support the regulatory decisions taken to restrict the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, including thiamethoxam which i…

11 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the General Teaching Council for Scotland regarding the establishment of a national standardised system for disciplinary or investigative procedures regarding teachers.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government has not held any discussions with the General Teaching Council for Scotland regarding the establishment of a national standardised system for disciplinary or investigative procedures regarding teachers. The General Teaching Council fo…

19 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish economic link licence condition will be kept under review, and when it will share the findings of any review of the policy.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is analysing landings and liaising with industry in order to understand the impact of the new economic link licence conditions and keep the policy under review. It is our intention to produce an update on the impact of the changes lat…

17 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to the managing agent of the Warmer Homes Scotland programme, Warmworks, in light of reports that applicants in island areas, where levels of fuel poverty can be highest, are being advised that they may have to wait up to 12 weeks, increased from six weeks…

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government monitors Warmworks' delivery across Scotland against key performance indicators including 'referral to completion' split by region. There had been delays in providing assessments due to high demand following launch of the scheme’s new …

15 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) average duration was in the academic year 2022-23 that (i) a teacher and (ii) an educational worker was suspended from their duties following allegations made against them and pending investigation.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Information relating to personnel matters is not routinely shared with the Scottish Government by local authorities. The requested information is therefore not held by the Scottish Government.

5 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on rural GP training of the reported decision by NHS Education for Scotland to withdraw funding for face-to-face GP Educator Supervisors’ workshops and conferences in the north of Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: In November 2023, the NHS Scotland Chief Executive wrote to all Health Boards, requesting that they review their financial forecast for the remainder of the 2023-24 financial year and minimise any discretionary spend. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) play a …

29 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the results of the Seabirds Count census in 2023, whether it can provide an update on the progress of the Scottish Seabird Conservation Strategy.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The results of the latest seabird census, Seabird Count, show that many of Scotland’s intentionally important seabird populations are suffering from a range of pressures, including climate change. The Scottish Government is committed to the development of a …

21 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on nursery-age childcare funding provision.

5 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the medical provision that is available to those living with renal vascular compression, what treatments are available; how many consultants there are in Scotland who can treat this condition, and what the average timescale for treatment is.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The treatments available for those living with renal vascular compression depend on the underlying cause. There are many potential causes of renal vascular compression which all have specific treatment options. Treatments available range from surveillance (in…

30 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the reduction in funding for Highlands and Islands Enterprise on women in business.

15 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, which give local authorities the discretion to charge a fee for the issue or re-issue of Blue Badges.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 gave local authorities the discretion to charge a fee not exceeding £20 for the issue or re-issue of a blue badge. A charge may only be made only when an application is suc…

5 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the potential impact in Scotland of any increased freight shipping costs resulting from the reported attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has discussed the Red Sea shipping crisis with the Department for Business and Trade and we will continue to monitor the situation, as it develops. This is an international concern, and we're aware of the potential challenges Scottis…

5 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to improve access to treatments for brain tumour patients.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government’s 10-year vision for cancer provides for a compassionate and consistent cancer service which provides excellent treatment and support for all people affected by cancer. Our action plan describes specific steps towards this, including i…

5 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to create specific funding schemes for brain tumour research.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government has no plans to create specific funding schemes for Brain Tumour research. Within the Scottish Government, funding of Health and Care Research comes under the remit of the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). The CSO's Translational Clinica…

5 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to improve care for people with a brain tumour diagnosis.

Answer · Jenni Minto: In our cancer strategy published in June last year, the Scottish Government committed to focus on cancer types that are the largest burden and have worse outcomes. These include brain and the other cancers categorised as less-survivable such as oesophagus, pa…

18 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07053 by Mairi McAllan on 18 March 2022, whether it will provide an update on its policy regarding unexploded ordnance disposal at sea.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The current licensing regime already encourages developers to use unexploded ordnance clearance methods which will produce the least underwater noise. The UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is in the process of updating the exist…