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 how the National Planning Framework 4 and Energy Consents Unit jointly address the reported concerns about the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure projects on rural communities and the natural environment.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: In reaching their decision, Scottish Ministers will determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant policy. Our National Planning Framework 4 ensures the potential impacts of energy infrastructure projects on communities, natur…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the prevalence of theft from (a) railway stations and (b) other railway property, and what steps it is taking to address this issue.
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 is taking to ensure that SEPA’s digital systems are fully operational and robust by the time that the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 come into force.
Answer · Gillian Martin: SEPA has been preparing for implementation of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 for several years, investing in new systems, people, processes and support mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition to the integrated authoris…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that SEPA has sufficient resources to implement the integrated authorisation framework without impacting its other regulatory functions.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The 2024-25 Budget increased funding for SEPA by 7.3% recognising the pivotal role it plays to protect and maintain a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for the people of Scotland. The draft budget for 2025-26 includes a budget increase for SEPA of 5% …
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the Energy Consents Unit’s decisions align with the principles of a just transition to net zero, particularly for rural communities.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: In reaching their decision, Scottish Ministers will determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant policy. Our Just Transition Plan is just one of many policy documents which is considered as appropriate in the decision-making…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports railway operators in introducing technologies, such as smart sensors or asset tagging, to prevent the theft of materials.
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 how it is working with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the British Transport Police to reduce theft from railway (i) lines, (ii) depots and (iii) stations in Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Reduction of theft is an operational matter for Police Scotland and British Transport Police
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how SEPA’s automated customer hub will support the implementation of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025.
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:During normal working hours the customer hub will handle any queries it receives in relation to SEPA&r…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will (a) support community ownership initiatives and (b) promote sustainable land use practices, in rural areas.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Land Reform Bill will support community ownership through advance notice of certain sales from large landholdings. Communities may then be able to purchase this land, including through existing community rights to buy powers, where a community body may no…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the National Planning Framework 4 accounts for the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure projects on rural Scotland, and, in light of the reported feedback from affected communities, whether it plans to revisit these provisions.
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 nature, including cumulative impacts, are important con…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of thefts from railway lines and stations on (a) rail service disruptions and (b) passenger safety.
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 whether the automated SEPA customer hub will have real-time human oversight to address urgent environmental incidents.
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 plans it has to inform the public about the change by SEPA to the 24-hour contact system, including how environmental incidents can be reported.
Answer · Gillian Martin: There is no change to how the public contact SEPA’s 24-7 service. The public are still able to use the same telephone number or online contact form to report incidents.SEPA’s external website provides clear information on how to contact SEPA and r…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to evaluate the effectiveness of the automated SEPA customer hub in responding to environmental emergencies.
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:As part of the early implementation of the enhanced out-of-hours service, SEPA successfully managed 18…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how SEPA is engaging with stakeholders, including local authorities and emergency services, to communicate operational changes to its 24-hour support system.
Answer · Gillian Martin: SEPA has robust resilience and emergency management processes in place with partners.There is no change for stakeholders as they continue to use the unchanged Priority Partner number (emergency services). Previously callers would have used a specific number a…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the transition by SEPA to an automated 24-hour customer hub, and how it will ensure that the system is operationally ready before the closure of the current call centre.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-32923 on 15 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-and-committe…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has sought from SEPA that the transition to a customer hub will not impact its ability to respond to emergencies as a category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
Answer · Gillian Martin: SEPA’s 24-hour availability to the Scottish public remains fully in place, ensuring 24-7 coverage for critical support for Scotland’s communities and environment. Where appropriate, this includes direct access to a SEPA employee to ensure a timely…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32555 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 January 2025, in light of its guidance on answering parliamentary questions stating that “Where a question relates to operational matters, it should be referred to the relevant Chief Executive to prepare the substanc…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: ScotRail Trains Limited is a train operating company that is publicly owned by Scottish Rail Holdings (a Non-Departmental Public Body) on behalf of the Scottish Government. ScotRail is not an Agency of the Scottish Government.The guidance quoted by the Member…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) have been put in place by local authorities since 2021.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Local authorities can use Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) as set out in The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. As with all other Traffic Regulation Orders, local authorities are under no obligation to inf…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of the use of Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) since 2021.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Changes to legislation came into force in November 2021 which allow for local authorities to put experimental projects on the ground with 7 days’ notice and a minimum 6 month consultation period which begins on the day the project is put in place. There…
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has corresponded with (a) Hampton Group International, (b) the UK Chinese Business Association and (c) Pitch@Palace in the last 12 years; what any such correspondence related to; whether Yang Tengbo is named in any such correspondence, and, if so, whether it will conduc…
Answer · Angus Robertson: There is no record that Scottish Government has had any correspondence with Hampton Group International, Pitch@Palace or the UK Chinese Business Association, nor with Mr Yang Tengbo, in the last 12 years.
8 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Tesla cars it currently (a) owns and (b) leases.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government currently own 10 Tesla’s. We do not have any leased vehicles.
6 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £254 million that was committed in its 2016 memorandum of understanding with Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council, for additional investment in housing, transport and digital in the Aberdeen city region, has been spent to date.
Answer · Kate Forbes: To date, £32.2m funding committed through the Memorandum of Understanding has been spent. A breakdown of this figure, along with explanatory detail, is provided below:ProjectSpend to Date (£m)Improve rail links between Aberdeen and the Central Bel…
6 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what legal implications there would be in the event that the 2016 memorandum of understanding with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, committing the Scottish Government to spend an initial £200 million of additional funding to help improve journey times and increase c…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not provide legal advice on any matter.
20 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the contract that is in place to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) for MV Glen Sannox, once the vessel enters service on 13 January 2025.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In May 2023 CalMac as operator announced that Molgas Energy Uk Ltd would be the supplier of LNG for the MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa. Please see aside link to the CalMac publication: https://corporate.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/news/calmac-award-of-lng-supply-tend…
20 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what quantity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) it estimates will be required to supply MV Glen Sannox each week, once the vessel enters service on 13 January 2025.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As operator, CalMac have estimated 44tonnes (this equates to two HGV tankers) of LNG per week during vessel operation. However this is being reviewed as part of the network trials which are currently being undertaken.
19 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what specific measures are being implemented in Aberdeen to protect pedestrians, including vulnerable groups, from the reported risks posed by illegally modified e-bikes.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Whilst not aware of any specific actions at this time with regards to illegally modified e-bikes on our road network in Aberdeen, we are aware that the matter has been raised and discussed within the Road Safety North East Scotland (RSNES) Lead Officer Group,…
19 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of e-bikes that have been seized in each year since 2020 were found to exceed the legal speed limit of 15.5 mph.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. I have asked Police Scotland to write to you on this matter.
19 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce stricter penalties for riders of illegal e-bikes who cause harm to pedestrians.
Answer · Angela Constance: Legislation surrounding the use of e-bikes and the penalties for misuse is a reserved matter for the UK Government. For an e-bike to be legal for use in the UK, they must meet the criteria of an electrically assisted pedal cycle and the electric motor should …
19 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which areas in Aberdeen have been identified as hotspots for the use of illegal e-bikes, and what targeted action has been taken in any such areas.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. I have asked Police Scotland to write to you on this matter.