Katy Clark

13 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a list of the total payments made from the public purse to Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP for consultancy work on the (a) design and (b) tender of the (i) Northern Isles Ferry Service passenger specifications, (ii) Northern Isles Ferry Services freight specifi…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: No Transport Scotland or Scottish Government payments to Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP have been identified for consultancy work on the (a) design and (b) tender of the (i) Northern Isles Ferry Service passenger specifications, (ii) Northern Isles Ferry…

13 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list, by local authority, any buildings where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been used on the justice estate since 2007, and whether any action was taken following structural inspection of these buildings. 

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has directly engaged with justice stakeholders to provide the following information. Police Scotland have confirmed that RAAC has been identified in three sites across the Police Scotland estate, in Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee. These s…

13 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of any fire station buildings that contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). 

Answer · Siobhian Brown: SFRS carried out a thorough assessment of all its buildings in 2019 and identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in 14 fire stations. These are: Crewe Toll (Edinburgh), Cumbernauld, Dalkeith, Galashiels, Hawick, Helensburgh, Huntly, Liberton (Edinbur…

13 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any research or structural inspections have been carried out since 2007, to assess whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found in any buildings on the justice estate. 

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has directly engaged with justice stakeholders to seek updates on the current position across the justice estate. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) undertakes a regular rolling inspection regime of the buildings in its e…

13 Sep 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the procurement process for the upgrade of Ardrossan harbour.

8 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what work it has carried out to explore potential options for eBooking of multi-journey tickets for the Cumbrae to Largs ferry route.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: These were pre-RET products that had always been intended to be removed at the point RET was introduced across the Calmac network from 2015. Following representations from the community, Transport Scotland are engaging with Calmac on this matter to consider…

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to investigate the use of remote alcohol monitoring (RAM) technology in the criminal justice system.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is committed to expanding electronic monitoring use across a broader range of licences and community orders, including exploring use of remote alcohol monitoring as provided for by the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019. Foll…

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its collaboration with other devolved governments on the review of ETSU-R-97 guidance that is being led by the UK Government, whether it can provide an update on the outcome of the review as it applies to Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: The ETSU steering group comprising of the four Governments of the UK is considering, under the lead of the UK Government, how best to take forward the recommendations of the WSP report . Until this work concludes, ETSU-R-97 should continue to be followed b…

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has raised the issue of infrasound low frequency noise (a) as part of its discussions on the ETSU steering group and (b) in any other discussions with the UK Government, in relation to noise regulations for onshore wind developments in Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: Infrasound was considered within the UK Government commissioned WSP report . The ETSU steering group comprising the four Governments of the UK is considering, under the lead of the UK Government, how best to take forward the recommendations of the report.

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it not being included in its Programme for Government 2023-24, when it anticipates work on replacing HMP Greenock will commence.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) fully recognise the need to ensure prison infrastructure is fit for purpose for those that live and work in prisons, and supports the rehabilitation of people living there. As set out in the Progr…

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which members of the Scottish Government are represented on the ETSU steering group.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is represented on the ETSU steering group by officials from the Directorate for Energy and Climate Change.

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many offenders currently receiving non-custodial sentences are being monitored via (a) radio frequency (RF), (b) global positioning system (GPS) and (c) remote alcohol monitoring (RAM) technology, and what percentage of the total number of offenders currently being electronically mon…

Answer · Angela Constance: At this time, the only form of electronic monitoring available in Scotland is radio frequency monitoring (RF). As at 11 September 2023 the number of non-custodial sentences being electronically monitored was 1,583. This compares to 1,177 non-custodial sente…

21 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the Lord Advocate’s guidelines for Police Scotland regarding allegations of assault.

Answer · Dorothy Bain: There are no Lord Advocate’s Guidelines in relation to assaults generally. Lord Advocate’s Guidelines have previously been issued to the Chief Constable in relation to the recorded police warning system for adult offenders. There are currently no plans to pu…

21 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Recommendation 32 in HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland's full inspection report for HMP Greenock, for 27 February to 3 March 2023.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: At present there are no current plans to review the SPS Prisoners Wage Earning Policy within the current financial year. It is however…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether all employees of the Scottish Prison Service have been directed to receive training on trauma-informed justice, and what information it holds on how many employees have received this training to date.  

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS records the number of training interventions delivered rather than the number of staff who have received the training. The diverse…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on whether all employees of Community Justice Scotland have been directed to receive training on trauma-informed justice, and how many employees have received this training to date.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold information on whether all employees of Community Justice Scotland have been directed to receive training on trauma-informed justice, or how many employees have received this training to date. This is a matter for Communi…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether all employees of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service have been directed to receive training on trauma-informed justice, and what information it holds on how many employees have received this training to date.

Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which (a) non-ministerial offices, (b) tribunals, (c) executive non-departmental public bodies and (d) executive agencies have been directed to train staff on trauma-informed justice.  

Answer · Angela Constance: The Trauma Informed Justice: A Knowledge and Skills Framework for Working with Victims and Witnesses, published on 3 May 2023 , gives organisations the information they need to develop and deliver training for their staff, tailored to the nature of the engage…

21 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18699 by Fiona Hyslop on 19 June 2023, whether it will outline the specifications in the £4 million call-off contract that it has awarded to Turner and Townsend under the Engineering and Technical Consultancy Framework.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland publishes the results of all regulated procurements through contract award notices on the Public Contracts Scotland website. The call-off contract awarded to Turner and Townsend for work associated with the provision of the Clyde and Hebrid…

21 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration the CHFS3 Project Team in Transport Scotland’s Ferries Unit will give to the recommendations affecting islands connectivity in the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland is considering the recommendations from the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 as part of their work on the Islands Connectivity Plan and subsequently will consider how best those recommendations can be reflected within the contract spec…

21 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland’s Ferries Unit established the CHFS3 Project Team, and whether it will detail the (a) terms of reference, (b) staffing levels and (c) budget that has been allocated for the CHFS3 Project Team.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The CHFS3 Project Team is a recently formed team which sits alongside the Ferries Unit within the recently restructured Ferries Directorate at Transport Scotland. Staffing for the CHFS3 Project Team was formalised in April 2023. (a) The team consists of perm…

14 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it has reportedly ruled out a public inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse of children at Celtic Boys Club.

Answer · Maree Todd: Our sympathies are with the victims of historical abuse. The independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, commissioned by the Scottish FA Board to examine what was known about abuse in Scottish Football in the past and what actions were taken as …

12 Jun 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an impact assessment of the reported withdrawal of appliances by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from stations across the country.

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what actions its Working Group on Missing People has taken to support the delivery of the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Working Group for Missing People continues to support the implementation of the National Missing Persons Framework across Scotland. Key actions taken forward by the Framework so far include a standardisation of the national definition of missing persons;…

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list any contracts awarded, to date, to (a) Stantec UK Limited, (b) Fisher Advisory Ltd and (c) Turner & Townsend Project Management Limited, under Transport Scotland’s Multiple Supplier Framework Agreement for Maritime Consultancy Services.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: To date one call-off contract has been awarded under this Framework Agreement. This was awarded to Stantec UK Ltd for the first of a planned series of community needs assessments as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, this one looking at ferry connections …

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish all live contracts between Transport Scotland and Turner & Townsend for work on the future (a) tendering and (b) provision of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland publishes the results of all regulated procurements through contract award notices on the Public Contracts Scotland website. In addition to the award of contracts and conclusion of framework agreements, we also apply this requirement to cal…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its announced report on Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compound (NMVOC) emissions from malt whisky maturation will be published.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The report is currently being finalised and will be published later in 2023 once this process has been completed.

24 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will initiate an independent review into the use of surgical mesh products within NHS Scotland.

17 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17602 by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023, under the Fair Work First Framework on conditionality for public sector grants, what action will be taken where an employer (a) has provided inaccurate evidence in relation to and (b) no longer continues to meet, c…

Answer · Neil Gray: We expect all grant recipients to comply with grant conditions. A grant offer letter is a contract, therefore non-compliance is a breach of this, and should be dealt with in line with existing guidance. The Scottish Public Finance Manual sets out the process …

17 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17602 by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023, under the Fair Work First Framework on conditionality for public sector grants, whether trade unions will be actively approached by public sector grant funders to confirm the accuracy of evidence submitted when see…

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18200 on 1 June 2023. 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/…