Parliamentary questions
Katy Clark
746 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many strip searches carried out by Police Scotland on under 18-year-olds in each of the last three years have resulted in officers finding an item of concern.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of strip searches carried out by Police Scotland. This information is held by Police Scotland. Data Publication - Police Scotland . The Stop and Search Code of Practice stipulates that a recor…
18 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many inadmissible items have been found during strip searches at (a) young offenders institutions and (b) secure units, in each of the last three years.
Answer · Keith Brown: As detailed in the response to Parliamentary Question S6W-07540 on 21 April 2022, the Scottish Prison Service does not undertake strip searches. It does not collate centrally any items recovered during body searches. The Scottish Government does not collate …
18 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many strip searches have been carried out by Police Scotland on under 18-year-olds in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of strip searches carried out by Police Scotland. This information is held by Police Scotland. Data Publication - Police Scotland . The Stop and Search Code of Practice stipulates that a recor…
18 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many strip searches have taken place at (a) young offenders institutions and (b) secure units, in each of the last three years, broken down by age of the individual searched.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Prison Service carries out ‘rub down searches’ or ‘full body searches’ rather than strip searches. These are performed in line with SPS search procedures, and are not recorded. Information on the number of body searches carried out is not collate…
15 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s announcement on 11 March 2022, whether it will make an assessment of workers’ rights at Cemre Marin Endustri’s shipyard in Altinova, Turkey, during the 10-day standstill period.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd requested the four bidders at Invitation to Tender stage to provide responses to fair working practices. These were consequently received and fully evaluated by CMAL’s Head of Vessels and Head of Business Support as part of the …
15 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has provided to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd since January 2020 on applying the Fair Work Framework to the vessel procurement process for Islay.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Procurement & Property Directorate publish Scottish Procurement Policy Notes (SPPN) to provide advice to public bodies on procurement policy. SPPN 3/2021 which was then superseded by SPPN 6/2021 to reflect two new criteria set out the actions for…
15 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s announcement on 11 March 2022, what assessment it has made of (a) trade union recognition and (b) other aspects of the Fair Work Framework at Cemre Marin Endustri’s shipyard in Altinova, Turkey.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Cemre Marin Endustri’s shipyard has provided Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd with a full report of their shipyard practices at the workplace. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has made a full assessment of the report including trade union recognition and have fou…
15 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government to what extent Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd applied the Fair Work Framework in assessing preferred bidder status for the contract to build two ferries for Islay.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd ensured the highest standards of service quality in this procurement, relevant at time of initiating the procurement process. Suppliers were asked to describe and demonstrate how they will commit to progressing towards adopting …
8 Mar 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all apprentices are paid the real Living Wage.
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have completed courses through the National Energy Efficiency Transition Support and Heat Pump Training Fund since its inception.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: As outlined in the National Transition Training Fund Year 1 report published in February 2022, 60 individuals were supported through the Energy Efficiency Transition Support and Heat Pump Training Fund in the 2021-22 academic year. In Year 2, the project aim…
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme will reopen for new applications for development funding and capital funding.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Applications for development and capital funding are open. More information can be found on the Local Energy Scotland website here www.localenergyscot.org . Loan and grant capital funding is currently available to communities developing renewable energy, he…
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what apprenticeships or subsidised training schemes there are for people seeking to train in (a) welding and (b) metal fabrication.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: For individuals who undertake the Engineering and Engineering Construction frameworks, there is the opportunity to complete a Scottish Vocational Qualification in the units set out below: Engineering:Fabrication and Welding Engineering (SCQF Level 6)Fabricat…
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on how many gas engineers in Scotland are Microgeneration Certification Scheme certified installers.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government does not hold or maintain any data on the number of registered gas engineers in Scotland who are also certified as installers under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The Gas Safe register is the official registration bod…
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data is held on how many apprentices are paid the real Living Wage.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In Scotland, Modern and Graduate Apprentices are employees and it is therefore employers who set apprentices pay, as with their other employees within the parameters of the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The NMW, including the NMW for Apprentices, is a reserve…
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a long-term funding strategy for community-based adult learning provision.
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support apprenticeships or training schemes for people seeking to train in external wall insulation.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Working with industry, we have developed a set of installer skills requirements to help professionalise services in this sector, and provide clearer career pathways for young people. We consulted on these earlier last year and we are now integrating these req…
28 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a long-term funding strategy for community-based adult learning provision.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Our Adult Learning Strategy will be launched in May. It has been co-produced with adult learning stakeholders, including senior staff from adult learning organisations and adult learners themselves, and aims to improve life chances for adult learners across S…
24 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding settling Afghan refugees in permanent accommodation.
Answer · Shona Robison: We engage regularly with the UK Government, COSLA, local authorities and other partners to ensure that people are provided with the safety and security they need to rebuild their lives. All 32 local authorities have confirmed their participation in Afghanist…
24 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Afghan refugees are currently in temporary accommodation in Scotland, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Shona Robison: Our clear preference would be for people to move into housing as soon as possible, however due to the speed and size of the evacuation we recognise that the use of temporary hotel accommodation was necessary. Refugee resettlement and relocation are UK Governm…
24 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government, as it applies to Scotland, regarding the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
Answer · Shona Robison: We engage regularly with the UK Government about the Afghanistan Relocation and Resettlement Schemes and continue to press the UK Government to address lengthy delays in the matching process and ensure local authorities receive adequate funding. Refugee res…
21 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve the financial wellbeing of young people leaving care.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is working to deliver the Care Experience Grant which will provide young care experienced people age 16-25 with, additional financial support and security as they move into adulthood; and support their financial wellbeing. This £200 an…
21 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a basic income scheme for young people leaving care.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government funded a feasibility study into a pilot of a Citizens’ Basic Income (CBI), which resulted in a report, published in June 2020, with some of the most detailed and comprehensive research in the UK. The report concludes that, whilst it is…
21 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to local authorities to provide young people leaving care with suitable accommodation.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government provides funding to local authorities through the local government funding settlement for the provision of continuing care and aftercare services, which includes provision of accommodation for care leavers. Local authorities have a sta…
15 Feb 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports of the third successful civil damages case for rape, whether it will review the reasons why these cases were not prosecuted in the criminal courts.
15 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) Community Needs and (b) Market Assessments have been carried out to date on Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service routes.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Community Needs Assessments were carried out for all routes included in the 2012 Ferries Plan and will be updated alongside the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP). We have commenced work to support the following live investment projects; Mallaig – Lochboisdale…
15 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on which date it expects to have concluded the (a) Community Needs and (b) Market Assessment on all routes in the contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service, and whether Transport Scotland has tendered any contracts for this work.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: These assessments will be undertaken as part of work on the Scottish Government's Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP). Community needs assessments establish the level of transport connectivity required by each island and remote mainland community within scope of …
15 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what changes, if any, have been made to the Routes and Services Methodology applied to Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service routes since it was first used to draw up the Ferries Plan (2013-22).
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Routes and Services Methodology (RSM) used in the Ferries Plan has been reviewed and updated to support the preparation of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP). In addition to refreshing data sources it will also consider: reliability and resilience; capac…
15 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland used any international examples to inform its Market Assessment of ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides network, and, if so, what the examples were.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Most recently services and ferry delivery structures in other countries have been reviewed include Norway, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These examples will inform the development of ferries policy including in the consideration of relevant assessments a…
15 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the recommendations of the Project Neptune review of ferry governance will inform the delivery of the (a) National Transport Strategy, (b) National Islands Plan, (c) Infrastructure Investment Plan, (d) Strategic Transport Projects Review and (e) Islands Connectivity Plan.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The outputs from Project Neptune will be considered alongside the suite of existing documents that support our ambitious vision for Scotland’s transport system for the next 20 years.
15 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the target dates are for (a) ferry procurement and (b) harbour infrastructure improvement on the Clyde and Hebrides network in (i) 2022, (ii) 2023, (iii) 2024, (iv) 2025 and (v) 2026.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government announced investment of £580m in ports and vessels to support and improve Scotland’s ferry services, as part of our wider five year Infrastructure Investment Plan, in February 2021. This investment is in addition to the delivery of MV …