Tim Eagle

3 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it has and (b) any of its agencies have consulted muirburn training providers about NatureScot’s reported plans to remove the requirement for the completion of practical muirburn training from the approved training course for muirburn in (i) 2025-26 and (ii) future year…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot has discussed training and the challenges of ensuring that all those who need to be trained can undertake training ahead of the next muirburn season with the Muirburn Code Working Group. The Group, which is made up wide-range of relevant stakeholde…

26 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on how many days the Campbeltown-Ardrossan ferry service has (a) been operational and (b) not been operational, during the summer timetable period in each year since 2021.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Campbeltown service operated on 146 days between June 2021 and September 2022. There were no services beyond this date due to the need to withdraw the route since that time.

26 Feb 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the ways in which local authorities engage with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.

19 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-34488 by Ivan McKee on 19 February 2025, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding for what reason its partial island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill did not recommend carrying out…

Answer · Ivan McKee: As set out in the answer to question S6W-34488, the responsibility of undertaking a full Island communities impact assessment is on local authorities. Additionally, Local authorities have the power to charge different rates and exemptions for different geogra…

19 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27451 by Fiona Hyslop on 23 May 2024, what repair works have been completed, broken down by date, and what works (a) are still to be completed and (b) have since been identified, also broken down by the (i) the cost and (ii) date of completion of th…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A revised version of the maintenance programme listing, updated February 2025, can be found in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. Number 65666).Table A lists the works completed in 2024-25 with the recorded construction costs indicated against t…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on merging Forestry and Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry (a) into a single organisation or (b) with NatureScot.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: There are currently no plans to merge Forestry and Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry and NatureScot.

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) Scottish Forestry, (b) Forestry and Land Scotland and (c) NatureScot has spent on diversity, equality and inclusion (i) officers and (ii) training in each year since 2021.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The information requested in response to S6W-34961, 34962, 34963, 34964, 34965, 34966, 34967, 34968 and 34969 is being collated and will be placed in the Parliament’s information Centre (bib number 65687) when complete.

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff (a) Forestry and Land Scotland, (b) Scottish Forestry and (c) NatureScot have employed on a (i) full-time permanent, (ii) full-time temporary, (iii) part-time permanent and (iv) part-time temporary employment basis in each year since 2021-22.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) Forestry and Land Scotland, (b) Scottish Forestry and (c) NatureScot has paid in staff salaries in each year since 2021-22.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost to operate the headquarters of (a) Scottish Forestry, (b) Forestry and Land Scotland and (c) NatureScot in 2023-24, and how much has been budgeted for this in 2024-25.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer to the member to the answer to question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-committ…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total desk space capacity is for staff in the headquarters of (a) Scottish Forestry, (b) Forestry and Land Scotland and (c) NatureScot, and how much of that has been used on a weekly basis since January 2024.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer to the member to the answer to question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-committ…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory functions are of (i) Forestry and Land Scotland, (ii) Scottish Forestry and (iii) NatureScot.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what sub-regional offices were operated by (a) Scottish Forestry, (b) Forestry and Land Scotland and (c) NatureScot as of 31 December 2024, and how much has been budgeted to run each office in 2024-25.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer to the member to the answer to question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-committ…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people employed by (a) Forestry and Land Scotland, (b) Scottish Forestry and (c) NatureScot in each year since 2021-22 earned more than the gross national median weekly earnings for 2024-25, broken down by (i) full-time and (ii) part-time staff.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much in total was paid in (a) salaries and (b) expenses to members of the executive board of (i) Forestry and Land Scotland, (ii) Scottish Forestry and (iii) NatureScot in each year since 2021-22. 

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer to the member to the answer to question S6W-34961 on 13 March 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-committ…

10 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 1 December 2017, 800 more GPs for Scotland, and the commitment set out in it that it would "aim to increase the number of GPs in Scotland by at least 800 over the next decade", how many GPs have been permanently recruited to date, broken down by …

Answer · Neil Gray: NHS Education Scotland (NES) are responsible for the publication of GP data in Scotland.The most recent data from 30 September 2024 that was published on 3 December 2024 includes a breakdown of GP numbers by Health Board and can be found here. NHS Scotland wo…

10 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 1 December 2017, 800 more GPs for Scotland, and the commitment set out in it that it would "aim to increase the number of GPs in Scotland by at least 800 over the next decade", how many GPs each NHS board will receive as a result of this.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government commitment to increase the number of GPs by 800 does not include commitments at Health Board level.NHS Education of Scotland (NES) are responsible for the publication of GP workforce data. The most recent data including a breakdown of …

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties in the North Lot area have been connected to superfast broadband through the R100 build scheme since it was established, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following table sets out the total number of premises currently contracted to receive connections through the R100 North contract by 2028, the number of premises connected as of 13 January 2025 and the number of premises yet to be connected as of the same…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties in the North Lot area are yet to be connected to superfast broadband through the R100 build scheme, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following table sets out the total number of premises currently contracted to receive connections through the R100 North contract by 2028, the number of premises connected as of 13 January 2025 and the number of premises yet to be connected as of the same…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties in the North Lot area are scheduled to be connected to superfast broadband through the R100 build scheme in 2025, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The latest data, as provided on our address checker at www.scotlandsuperfast.com, shows that a total of 7,924 connections are expected to be delivered through the R100 North contract in 2025. This information is broken down by Local Authority in the following…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of its international offices held (a) Burns Night and (b) St Andrew’s Day celebrations in the last year.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government's international offices all held both Burns Night and St Andrew's Day celebrations in the past year. These cultural celebrations have proven instrumental in fostering meaningful connections with international partners and engaging with…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding support is available in 2025-26 for Scottish cultural organisations seeking to tour across the UK.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government will provide an additional £20m to Creative Scotland for its Multi Year Funding programme in 2025-26. 193 of the 251 successful organisations that will be supported by Multi Year Funding are undertaking performances, exhibitions …

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote Scottish seafood exports in emerging markets across the Middle East.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Through the work of the Scottish Government funded Scotland Food & Drink Export plan, Scottish Development International (SDI) will be organising a learning journey to Saudi Arabia & Qatar for Scottish food & drink companies later in 2025, includi…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it is taking and (b) funding it is making available to progress the reintroduction of a ferry connection from Scotland to mainland Europe.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government continues to support the development of our ports, and the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.I have personally engaged with parties interested in introducing new ferry services, an…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it still plans to open an international office in Warsaw, and, if so, when it will open; how many staff will be based there, and what its annual running costs will be.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The opening of a Scottish Government office in Warsaw is currently under review given ongoing budget pressures.

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote Scottish seafood exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in light of the resumption of Emirates' direct flights from Edinburgh to Dubai.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has provided £8.25m to Seafood Scotland since 2021 in their role as Scotland’s national trade and marketing organisation for the seafood industry. This includes funding to help Seafood Scotland facilitate projects which sup…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the location of its network of international offices, with a view to adding an office in the Middle East.

Answer · Angus Robertson: There are currently no plans to open an office in the Middle East.We will continue to work closely with Scottish Development International (SDI) and its network of trade and investment offices around the world, which includes offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Development International personnel are based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the promotion of Scottish products, and where their office is located.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Enterprise have confirmed there are 8 Scottish Development International (SDI) staff based in the UAE, that operate out of FCDO offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many GlobalScot representatives are located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and what events are planned there for 2025.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Enterprise confirmed there are 60 GlobalScots located in the UAE.There are currently 4 events coming up within the year with one specific to GlobalScots. The 4 events that are planned for this year within UAE are:Gulfood - the world's largest annual …

31 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its review into homecare medicines services, which was commissioned in June 2023 by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, and by what date it will outline its next steps in relation to that review.

Answer · Jenni Minto: In April 2023, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) announced an Independent Medicines Homecare Review in response to reports of failings in the standards of care provided across Scotland and the increasing demand for medicines homecare provision.The CPO wi…