Parliamentary questions
Katy Clark
746 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent actions it has taken to support the rural economy on Arran.
17 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of cabin space on the (a) Glen Sannox and (b) Hull 802 will be allocated to (i) passenger accommodation, (ii) crew accommodation and (iii) seafarer training and induction.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Glen Sannox and Hull 802 have 3 training cabins, 8 officer cabins and 23 crew cabins each. There are no passenger cabins on either vessel. Passengers will have access to facilities such as lounges, cafeterias and shops.
17 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects CalMac Ferries’ services to Arran to temporarily transfer from Ardrossan to Troon.
Answer · Graeme Dey: A project programme will be made available following the tender stage and appointment of a contractor, however programme dates are subject to completion of the commercial arrangements currently being discussed with Peel Ports Group and Transport Scotland. Se…
17 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries regarding sea trials of the Glen Sannox on routes to Arran from (a) Ardrossan and (b) Troon.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, are working closely with CalMac on plans for introducing the vessel into service. This includes crew recruitment, vessel familiarisation and network trials when appropriate on Arran, at Ardrossan and Troon.
17 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01657 by Graeme Dey on 16 August 2021, what Transport Scotland’s latest assessment is of progress in planning multi-modal transport continuity, in preparation for the temporary transfer of CalMac Ferries services from Ardrossan to Troon.
Answer · Graeme Dey: As part of service continuity planning CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) are undertaking public consultation sessions with communities in early 2022 to gather feedback on Troon timetables. This also includes plans for transport integration and connectivity with other …
17 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that upgrades to harbour infrastructure do not delay the scheduled introduction of the (a) Glen Sannox and (b) Hull 802 onto routes operated by CalMac Ferries.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Works are underway at Troon harbour which will be used as an alternative mainland port to support CalMac services. Troon will also support the operation of the Ardrossan-Brodick/Campbeltown ferry services when they are temporarily diverted during the construc…
14 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it plans to put in place to reduce the reliance on incinerators for the purpose of waste disposal, in light of SEPA household waste data for 2020 that reportedly shows that waste managed by incineration increased by 33.6% since 2019.
Answer · Lorna Slater: In Scotland, it is already illegal to send waste collected separately for recycling to incineration or landfill. However, we need to make sure that how we treat residual waste, which cannot be reused or recycled, aligns with our emissions reduction targets. T…
13 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-03128 by Shona Robison on 1 October 2021, and in light of the progression of the Nationality and Borders Bill in the UK Parliament, whether it has given further consideration to whether any amendments to the Bill could trigger the need for a legisla…
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government continues to monitor the Nationality and Borders Bill and has not yet concluded legislative consent consideration, following amendments made to the Bill in December. If we conclude that any provisions in the Bill are on matters within…
8 Dec 2021 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had regarding the Hunterston PARC development.
24 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish a revised work schedule for the implementation of the provisions of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government published the updated Transforming Planning in Practice planning reform work programme on 29 October 2021. This work programme is available on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot/publications/transforming-planning-practice-…
17 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last issued guidance to local authorities on measuring low-frequency noise.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government has never issued any guidelines on measuring low-frequency noise.
17 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it collates the complaints about low-frequency noise that are made to local authorities.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government does not collate the number of complaints about low-frequency noise made to local authorities.
17 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out regarding developing a method by environmental health officers for assessing low-frequency noise.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government has not carried out any research into developing a method for assessment of low-frequency noise.
15 Nov 2021 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a legal opinion stating that local authorities cannot use their byelaw powers to implement buffer zones at NHS reproductive health facilities, how it will ensure that women have access to these services free from harassment.
10 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding how much Police Scotland has spent on dealing with cases of (i) sexual harassment and (ii) discrimination.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with Police Scotland, or the Scottish Police Authority, regarding how much Police Scotland has spent on dealing with cases of sexual harassment and discrimination. It is a matter for the Chief Constable, …
8 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to encourage people to use public transport rather than cars.
1 Nov 2021 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full assessment of the outcomes of the COP26 discussions and the implications for Scotland’s energy strategy.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government will consider in detail the decisions and outcomes from the COP26 Summit, as well as the comprehensive Scottish Government programme that is running alongside. Our forthcoming draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will take a …
29 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the costs of hydrogen bunkering and refuelling infrastructure at Kirkwall and Shapinsay for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.
Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04118 on 17 November 2021. 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-commit…
29 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney will be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04118 on 17 November 2021. 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-commit…
29 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make a direct award to local authority operator, Orkney Ferries, for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.
Answer · Graeme Dey: I met with the Orkney Islands Council in Kirkwall recently and heard about their plans to introduce low-emission ferries. I welcome these plans but made clear – as local representatives well know – that the responsibility for their inter-island ferry services…
29 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the anticipated delivery date is for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.
Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04118 on? 17 November 2021. 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-commi…
27 Oct 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed £500,000 fund for local organisations in international development partner countries to take forward work to ensure women and girls are safe, equal and respected.
20 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding implementation of the Ivory Act 2018.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Ministers, alongside Scottish Government officials, have been in regular contact with the UK Government to bring forward legislation to implement the Ivory Act 2018 later this winter. The ban is then expected to come into force in Spring 2022. The S…
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many temporary staff it has employed in each of its directorates in each year since 2017.
Answer · John Swinney: The following table below shows the number of directly employed staff on Fixed-Term appointment contracts at 30 June 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, broken down by Directorate. 30 June has been selected for consistency with PQ S6W-03819 on 8 November 2021 which co…
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people it currently employs on a temporary basis in each of its directorates.
Answer · John Swinney: The following table shows the number of directly employed staff on Fixed-Term appointment contracts at 30 June 2021, broken down by Directorate. These are our most recently published data. DG Directorate 30-Jun-21 Fixed Term Appt DG CEA DIRECTORATE FO…
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions it has used an external recruitment agency to fill a post in each of the last four years, also broken down by which recruitment agency was used.
Answer · John Swinney: For Bands A-C (junior to middle management grades) the Scottish Government does not use external recruitment agencies to fill temporary or permanent posts where the worker is employed by SG directly. At senor civil service level recruitment agencies are somet…
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on non-UK military forces using Scottish airports for refuelling and other aircraft handling services.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The UK Government is responsible for determining which airline or country is allowed to operate flights into the UK and there is no role for the Scottish Government in approving any flights.
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for publishing a revised work schedule on the implementation of the provisions in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government published the updated Transforming Planning in Practice planning reform work programme on 29 October 2021. This work programme is available on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot/publications/transforming-planning-practice…
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Glasgow Prestwick Airport holding general agreements with the United States military.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Glasgow Prestwick Airport is operated on a commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government, in compliance with our obligations under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the UK and the EU. It is for the airport’s management team to …
15 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what due diligence was carried out on Astraius prior to the memorandum of understanding being signed with Prestwick Spaceport.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Glasgow Prestwick Airport, together with its partner South Ayrshire Council, signed a memorandum of understanding with Astraius to enable horizontal space launch activity from the planned Prestwick Spaceport. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is operated on a commer…