Parliamentary questions
Douglas Lumsden
1,891 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures Police Scotland has in place to identify and safely dispose of unexploded wartime military ordnance that is discovered during construction of infrastructure projects
Answer · Angela Constance: It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including incidences involving unexploded wartime military ordnance.You may wish to write directly …
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the training provided to Police Scotland officers in responding to incidents involving unexploded ordnance.
Answer · Angela Constance: The training provided to Police Scotland Officers in responding to incidents involving unexploded ordnance is an operational policing decision for the Chief Constable, under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police AuthorityIt is for the Chief Constable, working w…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding is allocated to local authorities and emergency services for managing incidents involving unexploded wartime military ordnance.
Answer · Angela Constance: It is for each of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities and the individual emergency services to allocate resources to areas of priority and need. Decisions on operational matters are for the individual services and Local Authorities to consider and action. Y…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis Police Scotland has conducted of the potential risks posed by unexploded wartime military ordnance, particularly in areas of historical military activity.
Answer · Angela Constance: It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including incidences involving unexploded wartime military ordnance.You may wish to write directly …
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the environmental impact of clearing unexploded wartime military ordnance from coastal areas, and what guidance it provides on mitigating these impacts.
Answer · Angela Constance: The clearing of unexploded ordnance is an operational matter for Police Scotland.Scottish Government are, however, concerned with the environmental impact from such activities, via the consideration of licensing applications for ordnance removal and contribut…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response has been to reports of recent discoveries of unexploded wartime military ordnance near urban centres, and what steps Police Scotland is taking to ensure public safety in these areas.
Answer · Angela Constance: It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including incidences involving unexploded wartime military ordnance.You may wish to write directly …
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland has mapped the locations of known wartime military ordnance sites, and how this information is used to inform public safety measures.
Answer · Angela Constance: It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities.You may wish to write directly to Police Scotland on this matter. Alternatively, as this matter may…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a centralised fee structure to cover multi-agency involvement in environmental authorisations, and, if so, what the timeline for its implementation is.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce a centralised fee for multi-agency involvement in environmental authorisations. SEPA is Scotland’s environmental regulator, responsible for granting environmental authorisations, and regularly …
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role the Energy Consents Unit plays in balancing national energy policy objectives with the interests of rural communities, and how this is reflected in its assessment processes.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Energy Consents Unit administers applications made to Scottish Ministers for determination in relation to energy infrastructure. In reaching their decision, the Scottish Ministers will determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements and…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the expansion of the fit-and-proper-person test to all regulatory regimes will address waste crime, and improve environmental compliance.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Applying the fit and proper person test in the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 to all four of SEPA’s regulatory regimes will assist in keeping criminals and illegal operators out of the waste management industry.The te…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the current measures to prevent thefts from the railway infrastructure, and whether it plans to review these measures.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33028 on 22 January 2025. 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-an…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what communication strategies are being developed to ensure that the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 are explained to (a) the public and (b) stakeholders.
Answer · Gillian Martin: To support ongoing public and stakeholder engagement SEPA has published consultations relating to the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025, and linked to the Scottish Government consultation. SEPA will use its webpages and social…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are included in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill to ensure that land development aligns with its net zero commitments.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Bill will place legal responsibilities on owners of large landholdings to set out how they use their land and how that contributes to key public policy priorities, like addressing climate change and protecting and restoring nature.Also, in addition to my …
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require SEPA to publish regular performance reports on the effectiveness of its automated customer hub in handling any 24-hour support needs.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) is issued by the Scottish Ministers to provide guidance on the proper handling and reporting of public funds.Under the terms of SPFM, the Scottish Government and SEPA operate a joint Framework agreement. Sections 25-2…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the transparency and accountability of decisions made by the Energy Consents Unit, and what plans it has to enhance public reporting on how projects are evaluated.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Decisions on applications made under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 are made by the Scottish Ministers. All information relating to applications to build, operate or modify onshore electricity generating stations with capacities exceeding 50 m…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing enhanced surveillance measures at railway (a) depots and (b) stations to deter theft.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33028 on 22 January 2025. 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-an…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure alignment between the National Planning Framework 4 and the Energy Consents Unit’s decision-making processes, particularly in relation to community engagement and environmental protections.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: In reaching their decision, Scottish Ministers will determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant policy. No steps are necessary to ensure alignment, as National Planning Framework 4 is a policy document to be considered as a…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the impact of theft from railway (a) stations and (b) depots on the safety and operation of the rail network.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33028 on 22 January 2025. 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-an…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to railway operators to improve the security of their infrastructure and depots against theft.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government supports Network Rail, ScotRail Trains Limited, Scottish Rail Holdings Limited, Caledonian Sleeper Limited through the funds it provides to these organisations.
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the criteria used by the Energy Consents Unit to evaluate energy infrastructure projects, in light of reported concerns that net zero contributions are being prioritised over community and environmental considerations.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Energy Consents Unit processes applications in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulatory framework. Community and environmental considerations are integrated into the decision-making process and are essential factors when considering applica…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent the theft of railway-related materials, including cables and metal components, and whether it plans to review the penalties for such crime.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Prevention of theft is a matter for Network Rail and railway operators working in collaboration with the British Transport Police. The Member may wish to note that safety and security of the rail network is a reserved matter under Schedule 5 of the Scotland A…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans SEPA has to mitigate any digital delays during the transition by SEPA to the new regulatory framework.
Answer · Gillian Martin: SEPA has been preparing for implementation of the new regulatory framework for several years, investing in new systems, people, processes and support mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition in November 2025.Implementing the Environmental Authorisations (Scot…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to balancing the contributions of energy infrastructure projects to net zero targets with their social and environmental impacts on rural areas, as part of any future review of the National Planning Framework 4.
Answer · Ivan McKee: NPF4 places climate and nature at the centre of our planning system and makes clear our support for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies. Potential impacts on communities and individual dwellings are important considerations in th…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators will be used to assess the (a) functionality and (b) reliability of SEPA’s automated customer hub.
Answer · Gillian Martin: As SEPA are directly responsible for its day-to-day operations, I have asked Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive of SEPA to respond. Her response is as follows:SEPA plan the work it will deliver each year and regularly monitor, review and report on performance i…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholder engagement is planned to ensure that any future review of the National Planning Framework 4 includes perspectives from rural areas.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The preparation of NPF4 involved extensive engagement, including with rural interests. Legislation requires that within 10 years after publishing the framework, the Scottish Ministers are to either revise the framework, or publish an explanation of why they h…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to retrospectively apply the fit-and-proper-person test to existing permit holders under the jurisdiction of SEPA.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The transitional arrangements in the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 mean the fit and proper person test under the draft Regulations will automatically apply to all relevant activities without SEPA needing to take any action…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether SEPA’s customer hub will include specific provisions for handling regulatory compliance queries outside of standard working hours.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-32136 on 18 December 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found athttps://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committe…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address reported concerns from rural communities that the National Planning Framework 4 disproportionately favours large-scale energy infrastructure projects at the expense of local development priorities.
Answer · Ivan McKee: National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) places climate and nature at the centre of our planning system and makes clear our support for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emission technologies. Potential impacts on communities and individual dwellings ar…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the National Planning Framework 4 in relation to energy infrastructure planning, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that rural communities’ views are adequately reflected in the decision-making processes.
Answer · Ivan McKee: National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was published following extensive consultation and engagement, including with rural communities, and was adopted by the Scottish Ministers in February 2023. While Scottish Ministers can decide to amend the NPF or review it…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Energy Consents Unit ensures that factors other than a project’s contribution to net zero targets, such as local environmental and social impacts, are given due weight in its decision-making processes.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Potential impacts on communities, nature, and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, are important considerations in the decision-making process. When an application is received, a full public consultation is carried out, and Sco…