Parliamentary questions
Stephen Kerr
2,595 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided for the eradication of giant hogweed in Scotland in each of the last 15 years.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The following table provides a summary of Scottish Government funding for Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) control on riverbanks in each of the last 15 years. Invasive species control projects based on river catchments control a number of species including …
22 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that no further significant action is taken, what it anticipates any increase in the coverage of giant hogweed will be by (a) 2030 and (b) 2040.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Recent modelling work predicts that the climate envelope of suitability for giant hogweed in north-west Europe will shift north in the next three decades (Anibaba et al., 2022). The model suggests that Scotland will remain climatically suitable for giant hogw…
22 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the last audit of the spread of giant hogweed took place, and what it revealed.
Answer · Lorna Slater: At a national level, there are two methods for monitoring of flowering plants: changes in plant distribution and changes in plant abundance. In relation to the first method, the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) periodically publishes a complete …
22 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how successful any enforcement action taken in relation to giant hogweed has been.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Responsibility for invasive non-native plants rests with landowners and occupiers. Under common law, there is an expectation that land owners should take reasonable steps to prevent invasive non-native plants growing on their land from causing a nuisance or i…
22 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its approach to giant hogweed is (a) reducing its spread and (b) sufficient.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Large-scale control across river catchments is an effective way to reduce the biodiversity impacts of invasive plants like giant hogweed. However, it is challenging to eradicate completely and control must be maintained for many years to prevent reinvasion of…
21 Jun 2022 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is regarding negotiating pay settlements with bodies, groups and organisations funded by the Scottish Government.
20 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the predicted cost of the Census Coverage Survey 2022 is, and what steps are being taken to ensure its success.
Answer · Angus Robertson: As the Census Coverage Survey (CCS) is ongoing, the predicted costs are based on the budget assigned to the CCS. Across the lifecycle of the Census Programme it was estimated that a budget of £3.1m would be required to deliver the CCS. The CCS, alongside hig…
17 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the demands made on older serving prison guards in the Scottish Prison Service, in light of the reported strenuous nature of the job.
Answer · Keith Brown: Recognising that some occupations were restricted by capacity and age due to the physical demands of those roles, the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 set a pension age of 60 for those in uniform services. The definition of such personnel was restricted to po…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Trades Union Congress regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on the (a) organisation and (b) people it represents.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Universities Scotland regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on (a) the organisation and (b) higher education in Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Whisky Association regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on (a) the organisation and (b) whisky distilling in Scotland.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on the (a) organisation and (b) fishermen it supports.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Citizens Advice Bureau regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on the (a) organisation and (b) people it supports.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the National Farmers Union regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on the (a) organisation and (b) farmers it represents.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Age Scotland and (b) other charities focused on supporting older people regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on (i) their organisations and (ii) the people they represent.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Federation of Small Businesses regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on the (a) organisation and (b) businesses it represents.
Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the potential impact of an independence referendum on the organisation.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Scottish Government officials and Ministers regularly engage with a range of stakeholders during the development of policies across all business areas, including the constitution. Engagement routinely covers a range of issues, including the potential impact o…
16 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times Circularity Scotland has met with Zero Waste Scotland in order to ensure that all of Zero Waste Scotland’s knowledge and understanding on the circular economy is being used in support of Circularity Scotland's work.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland Ltd as Scheme Administrator meets frequently with Zero Waste Scotland as part of their ongoing work to implement our Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), including through the DRS System-Wide Assurance Group which is responsible for assessing sys…
15 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report published by Reform Scotland describing the Scottish National Investment Bank as “unfocused and ill-conceived”, having a “strategic deficiency” and recommending that the Bank be “reset”.
10 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it took to ensure that students and other people living in houses of multiple occupation were specifically targeted to respond to Scotland's Census 2022.
Answer · Angus Robertson: National Records of Scotland met with representatives from over 30 of Scotland’s Universities and Colleges, and with organisations such as Young Scot, FindAUniversity and NUS Scotland, to drive awareness across institutions of the importance of supporting and…
8 Jun 2022 · SPCB Oral Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has explored the possibility of creating apps for parliamentary functions.
7 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what risk assessment is undertaken for someone presenting at accident and emergency with suicidal intentions, and whether this alters if a person presents on more than one occasion in the space of a month.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The clinical assessment of someone presenting at accident and emergency (A&E) with suicidal intentions includes an assessment of risk. Clinical assessments involve a clinician interviewing the patient, often using risk assessment tools (which are selected by …
7 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken to understand what impact closing schools as community venues has had on the ability of community groups to operate.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The impact of school closures during the pandemic was carefully considered at local level by schools and community groups who are best placed to understand the needs of the immediate community. The Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) evaluation found that schools…
7 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the COVID-19 reducing risk in schools guidance will be updated to allow the use of venues by community groups.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: There is nothing in Scottish Government guidance, which prevents the use of schools by community groups. Since March of this year the published guidance for schools has explicitly stated under the section on local implementation that “If undertaking a particu…
7 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have expressed concerns that its prompt payment policy has not been supported by additional resources.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Prompt payment of suppliers is critical to the sustainability and resilience of our supply chains, particularly our SMEs. Paying suppliers on time, in full and within a maximum of 30 days also supports our economic recovery and growth. The Scottish Government…
7 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what independent accountability there is for bus service delivery in Scotland.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Bus service provision in Scotland operates in an open de-regulated market, as established by the Transport Act 1985. Individual bus operators use their own commercial judgement to decide on service routes, fare structure and frequency. Additionally local tran…
7 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with SEPA regarding the flaring, which is causing night-time noise and light disruption for local residents, at Grangemouth Refinery.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with SEPA, the independent regulator, concerning SEPA’s regulatory role in relation to industrial sites in Scotland, including the Grangemouth complex. Whilst we understand the concerns around flaring, it is an es…
1 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Information Commissioner’s progress report on its handling of Freedom of Information requests.
24 May 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to involve victims more in the justice system.
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is being provided for mental health support in colleges through the Scottish Funding Council.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In this Academic Year (21-22) the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has provided £2.423 million to the college sector to provide additional counsellors in colleges in support of our Programme for Government commitment to provide more than 80 additional counsello…