Parliamentary questions

Mercedes Villalba

523 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken to ensure that Police Scotland had full oversight of the actions of police officers who were deployed to Glasgow from the rest of the UK during COP26.

Answer · Keith Brown: The policing of COP26 was an operational matter for the Chief Constable, who was clear that the delivery of the event would be compliant with human rights legislation, would facilitate peaceful and lawful protest and ensure public safety. Around 5,200 office…

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that home efficiency targets are delivered in the (a) private rented sector and (b) social rented sector, without tenants having to take financial responsibility for the targets being met.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We have committed to invest at least £1.8 billion over the course of this parliament to support growth in zero emissions heat and energy efficiency measures, and to support those least able to pay. (a) Home Energy Scotland provides up to £15,000 interest-fre…

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland on the reported use of policing tactics such as kettling during COP26.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04361 on ? 24 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-comm…

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) climate activist groups and (b) environmental organisations, regarding their concerns about the policing of protests during COP26.

Answer · Keith Brown: The policing of COP26 was an operational matter for the Chief Constable, who ensured that the delivery of the event would be compliant with human rights legislation and that the priority of Police Scotland was to facilitate peaceful and lawful protest and ens…

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with tenants’ unions, including Living Rent, regarding its proposed rented sector strategy.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As we committed to in Housing to 2040 , tenant participation is at the heart of our work to develop the Rented Sector Strategy. Alongside meetings with tenants and tenants’ groups, we are working in partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Tenants Inf…

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with (a) the UK Government and (b) other international parties during COP26, regarding the introduction of an offshore training passport.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is wholly committed to ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change and doing so in a way that is fair for all, ensuring a green recovery and a just transition that supports good green jobs, skills and expertise and leaves no-one b…

10 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority, regarding the policing of protests during COP26.

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether live facial recognition will be used by (a) Police Scotland and (b) other security organisations as part of COP26 policing operations.

Answer · Keith Brown: The use of facial recognition technology is an operational decision for Police Scotland, operating within the boundaries of current legislation. The Scottish Government understands from the service that there are no plans to use the technology during COP26, e…

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether retrospective facial recognition technology will be used by (a) Police Scotland and (b) other security organisations as part of COP26 policing operations.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04001 on 8 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-committ…

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what due diligence it has undertaken to ensure that any potential use of facial recognition technology as part of COP26 policing operations does not breach protection of privacy obligations.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04001 on ? 8 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-comm…

9 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions there have been for fisheries offences since 25 January 2019, broken down by (a) what the alleged offences were and (b) where they took place; how many convictions there were, and what fines were issued.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Since 25 January 2019, a period largely covered by Covid restrictions, there have been the following cases referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) for consideration of prosecution: Offence Location Outcome Breach of Shellfish (R…

5 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the nature, extent and practical functioning of a public interest test with regard to transfers of land in Scotland.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We consider that as part of a package of measures in the forthcoming Land Reform Bill, a public interest test could potentially make a significant contribution to our longstanding land reform objectives by stimulating a more productive, diverse and dynamic pa…

5 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what legislation it plans to introduce to (a) tackle the concentration of land ownership in Scotland and (b) promote the use of land in the interests of (i) local communities and (ii) the natural environment; what the timescales are for any (A) such legislation and (B) other measures on …

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We have an ongoing and unwavering commitment to land reform, and to tackling the issues associated with the scale and concentration of land ownership. We will be introducing a new Land Reform Bill by the end of 2023, which will aim to ensure that the public i…

5 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures, other than a public interest test, it is considering to (a) tackle the concentration of land ownership in Scotland and (b) promote the use of land in the interests of (i) local communities and (ii) the natural environment.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We have an ongoing and unwavering commitment to land reform. We will aim to bring forward a new Land Reform Bill by the end of 2023, and we plan to double the Scottish Land Fund to £20m by the end of this Parliament, providing more support to enable communiti…

15 Sep 2021 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of the impact of the Scottish Parliament being designated a protected site by the Home Office on the number of protests that will be able to take place at the Scottish Parliament.

Answer · Claire Baker MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: The Parliament welcomes and facilitates protests all year round and will continue to do so; it is an important part of the expression of democracy in Scotland. In taking the decision to apply for designated status, SPCB has carefully considered Police Scotl…

15 Sep 2021 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it had with (a) campaign groups, (b) trade unions and (c) other relevant organisations regarding its plans to apply to the Home Office for the Scottish Parliament to become a protected site on national security grounds.

Answer · Claire Baker MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: It is a matter for SPCB under its legal responsibilities to provide a safe and secure estate. As the decision on applying to become a designated site was based on confidential security advice from Police Scotland, it would not have been appropriate to have h…

15 Sep 2021 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it had with (a) MSPs, (b) MSP staff and (c) other Scottish Parliament staff regarding its plans to apply to the Home Office for the Scottish Parliament to become a protected site on national security grounds.

Answer · Claire Baker MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: The SPCB is elected by the Parliament to take decisions regarding its statutory functions under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1988, which are to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required…

15 Sep 2021 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what security advice and assessment it sought prior to making its decision to apply to the Home Office for the Scottish Parliament to become a protected site on national security grounds.

Answer · Claire Baker MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: The SPCB received comprehensive security assessment and advice from Police Scotland recommending application for designated status for the parliamentary complex.

15 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on (a) reforming family reunion rules to enable child refugees in Europe to settle with family members already resident in Scotland and (b) establishing a new UK-wide scheme to enable child refugees in Europe to be resettled in the UK, i…

Answer · Shona Robison: Asylum is reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office. This includes family reunion and the establishment of refugee resettlement schemes. UK immigration rules currently only allow for the reunion of dependent children under 18 and spouses, o…

15 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the potential impact of the Nationality and Borders Bill on refugees who enter the UK by irregular means, and any implications this may have for Scotland and for refugees that settle in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution and External Affairs and I met with the then Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts on 16 June 2021 to discuss the New Plan for Immigration. This was prior to the introduction of the Nationality and Borde…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent guidance it has issued to further and higher education institutions regarding the wearing of face coverings by staff and students within classroom environments.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02895 on 23 September 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…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Educational Institute of Scotland, (b) University and College Union Scotland and (c) other relevant unions regarding the wearing of face coverings by staff and students within classroom environments at further and higher education institutions.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In addition to the meetings I had with Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland soon after becoming Minister, the Scottish Government has engaged extensively with further and higher education institutions, trade unions representing members in these sectors…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with colleges and universities regarding the wearing of face coverings by staff and students within classroom environments.

6 Sep 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking ahead of COP26 regarding the future of oil and gas exploration and securing a just transition for workers.

3 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that older people without online access are able to contribute to its consultation, A National Care Service for Scotland.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government are making paper copies of the consultation paper available on request. We have a dedicated mailbox: [email protected] for any individual/organisation who wants a copy posted to them. We also have a dedicated telephone number fo…

3 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that older people resident in (a) care homes and (b) sheltered housing are able to contribute to its consultation, A National Care Service for Scotland.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As part of our consultation on the National Care Service we will be engaging with the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum, the Older Peoples Assembly and Age Scotland. We are also engaging with a range of other third sector organisations to make sure that w…

3 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide paper copies of the documents for its consultation, A National Care Service for Scotland, to (a) care homes, (b) sheltered housing complexes and (c) third sector, voluntary and charitable organisations in order to increase participation among older people in the c…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As set out in the answer to S6W-02758 on 21 September 2021, The Scottish Government are making paper copies of the National Care Service consultation available on request. As set out in the answer to S6W-02759 on 21 September 2021, we are engaging with a wid…

3 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of older people who have submitted a response to its consultation, A National Care Service for Scotland, to date.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Our consultation on the National Care Service is very wide ranging. We are aiming to capture as many experiences of care as possible from across the whole population of Scotland. We particularly want to hear from people who access social care now, their famil…

1 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that patients and staff at Old Aberdeen Medical Practice are consulted on the future provision of its GP services.

31 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that training provided by Police Scotland’s International Development and Innovation Unit is not used by police forces from countries with records of human rights abuses to commit such further abuses.

Answer · Keith Brown: The delivery of training by Police Scotland’s International Development and Innovation Unit is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. The Scottish Police Authority has responsibility for oversight of Police Scotland and to scrutinise the decisio…