Lewis Macdonald

10 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish the final version of the Scottish National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Supplementary Review on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is planned to be published by this Spring, as I confirmed to Parliament during the Members Debate on SDGs (16th January 2020). The Scottish Government has been engaging widely with…

5 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Supply Chain Development Statement, announced by Crown Estate Scotland on 16 January 2020, will require applicants to set out how they will develop employment opportunities for, among others, Scottish (a) seafarers, (b) commercial divers and (c) diving supervisors in the offs…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I have written to Simon Hodge, Chief Executive of Crown Estate Scotland who has responded as follows: Crown Estate Scotland is currently in the process of finalising the details on the information requirements for the Supply Chain Development Statement and wi…

5 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Crown Estate Scotland’s contract with Arup for evaluating applications for offshore wind farms under the ScotWind Leasing process requires it to evaluate compliance with the Supply Chain Development Statement announced by Crown Estate Scotland on 16 January 2020.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I have written to Simon Hodge, Chief Executive of Crown Estate Scotland, who has responded as follows: The work being carried out by Arup is helping Crown Estate Scotland to finalise and then implement the process by which applications to ScotWind Leasing wil…

19 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Transport Scotland news release of 19 February 2020, AWPR first anniversary, in light of their role as co-sponsors and co-funders of the AWPR, by what date Transport Scotland will share the full data referred to in the news release with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire cou…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-27500 on 2 March 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

19 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Transport Scotland news release of 19 February 2020, AWPR first anniversary, whether it will publish the data collected regarding HGV traffic on the A956 between Charleston and Blackdog before and after the opening of the AWPR.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-27500 on 2 March 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

19 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Transport Scotland news release of 19 February 2020, AWPR first anniversary, whether it will publish the data collected regarding the volume of (a) private vehicle and (b) public transport journeys made in and through Aberdeen before and after the opening of the AWPR.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-27500 on 2 March 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

19 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Transport Scotland news release of 19 February 2020, AWPR first anniversary, whether it will publish the data collected regarding HGV traffic on the A92 between Stonehaven and Blackdog before and after the opening of the AWPR.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland provided the initial data snapshot to support the anniversary news release which highlights that the AWPR is making progress towards achieving one of its objectives which is: - To provide traffic relief (including the removal of long dista…

5 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04102 by Roseanna Cunningham on 5 February 2020, whether it has undertaken contingency planning for future funding of biodiversity projects, in the event that the UK Government is unsuccessful in obtaining access to programmes such as EU-LIFE after …

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is undertaking contingency planning in relation to a range of potential outcomes relating to EU Exit. The options for Scotland to continue accessing EU funds after the current EU budget round or to secure equivalent replacement funding…

29 Jan 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what new provision it plans to put in place to support biodiversity projects when access to EU-LIFE funding is no longer available.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: EU funding, including the LIFE programme, provides vital support to deliver the Scottish Government’s environmental and climate change ambitions. As part of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK is eligible to access LIFE funding for the duration of the current E…

9 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03945 by Humza Yousaf on 19 December 2019 (Official Report, c. 6), when online testing and application processes were introduced for Scottish Prison Service applicants, and how many people have been recruited as a result of the introduction of these…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: A revised application process and online testing were introduced in June 2019 for recruitment to HMP and YOI Grampian and 23 P…

9 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03945 by Humza Yousaf on 19 December 2019 (Official Report, c. 6), what additional initiatives have been undertaken to address the particular recruitment and retention issues at HMP and YOI Grampian.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: The additional initiatives which have been undertaken to address the particular recruitment and retention issues at HMP and YO…

9 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03945 by Humza Yousaf on 19 December 2019 (Official Report, c. 6), what the staff (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) absence rates have been at each prison and YOI in the last 12 months.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: The following table provides the information requested for financial year 2018-19.   Establishment Prison Officers Recruite…

9 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the phase 2 reports of the Third UK Review of Special Protection Areas for birds in Scotland will be published, and whether it will set out a timetable for implementation of the findings.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Publication of the Third UK Review of Special Protection Areas phase 2 report is a matter for agreement by the 4 Country Administrations across the UK under the auspices of the Review's Executive Steering Group. I am advised that a summary report is nearing c…

8 Jan 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in resolving the outstanding issues in relation to the AWPR.

18 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect open ground habitats, such as peatlands and grasslands, which are critical to the conservation of curlew.

17 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, what discussions it has had with (a) EDF Renewables and (b) ESB regarding the number of jobs that will be (i) directly and (ii) indirectly created in Scotland during the construction, installation and operational life of the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government continues to engage extensively, at both official and Ministerial level, with EDF, the operator of Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, regarding the benefit to Scottish economy arising from their project and they have an announcement …

17 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that Tier 1 contractors for the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm carry out these contracts in a way that results in jobs in Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is doing everything within our existing, limited devolved powers to retain and boost job numbers and increase Scottish content in offshore wind projects, including efforts to support the local supply chain to improve its competitivenes…

20 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Red Rock Power regarding the number of (a) manufacturing and (b) maritime supply chain jobs that will be created in Scotland by the Inch Cape Offshore wind farm project.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Ministers and officials engage regularly with all energy developers to stress the importance of utilising the Scottish supply chain wherever possible. Guy Madgwick, Chief Executive Officer of Red Rock Power is a member of the Scottish Offshore Wind E…

14 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21068 by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 January 2019, how many of the (a) respondents and (b) recipients of training had previously worked offshore.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: When the fund was set up it did not differentiate between offshore and onshore applicants, so this detail was not captured as it was not relevant to the funding. Therefore SDS do not hold this information.

14 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21068 by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 January 2019, how many applications for training were not approved, also broken down by those from the offshore oil and gas sectors.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: SDS have advised that as of 20 th January 2019, there were 4,825 closed applications. This figure is in part due to multiple applications being received from individuals. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of closed applications by applicants who worke…

14 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21068 by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 January 2019, how many of the 1,204 respondents were (a) in full-time employment, (b) in temporary employment, (c) contract staff and (d) self-employed in (i) the oil and gas, (ii) the renewables, low-carbon or enginee…

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: SDS have advised that of the 1,204 respondents, 817 (68%) were in employment. Of those in employment, 440 (37%) were in full-time employment (30+ hours), 33 (3%) were in part-time employment (less than 30 hours), 156 (13%) were agency/temp workers and 188 (16…

10 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) oil and gas operating companies and (b) Tier 1 contractors in the oil and gas industry regarding the adoption of its Fair Work Framework.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government supports the Fair Work Convention’s vision for Scotland to be a fair work nation by 2025. The Framework underpins our Fair Work Action Plan and provides guidance for employers to promote and support fair work practices. As a result of…

10 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the effects of constraint payments to offshore wind farm developers on (a) clean energy production and (b) consumer energy bills in Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We strongly support the development of renewables, with 2018 proving to be yet another record year for renewable electricity in Scotland. Recent figures show that renewable electricity generation produced the equivalent of 76.3% of Scotland’s electricity dema…

10 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Oil and Gas Leadership Group has made on strategic issues relating to the future employment prospects for offshore oil and gas workers in the context of transition to a net-zero carbon economy.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Oil and Gas Leadership Group plays an important role for engagement between sector, Government and the wider public sector. We recognise that the actions needed to become net-zero by 2045 will transform all sectors of our economy and society. This was the…

17 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported claims by Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL) regarding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, by what date in December 2019 it will have to reach a deal with ARL in order to avoid court action.

Answer · Michael Matheson: It is a matter for ARL to decide whether, and if so when, to raise court proceedings in relation to any claim that it may consider it has in relation to the AWPR. The Scottish Government is continuing to engage in dialogue with ARL in relation to issues it ha…

17 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that it reaches a deal with Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL) regarding its reported claims in relation to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, when the costs of (a) any additional payments to ARL and (b) legal proceedings in relation to the case will be made public.

Answer · Michael Matheson: At present the Scottish Government has not agreed to pay any additional sums to ARL regarding its reported claims and no court proceedings have been raised. Transport Scotland continues to engage in dialogue with ARL regarding issues it has had on the project…

12 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03504 by Ash Denham on 11 September 2019 (Official Report, c. 20), regarding the 14 mobilisations of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Gold Commanders in the last two years, when each mobilisation took place; where each incident occurred, and to whic…

Answer · Ash Denham: In line with its Command and Control policy and procedures the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilises Gold Commanders to the scene of the incident. This has been the case in all except one occasion over the last two years. On that one occasion, the Assist…

11 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact has been of the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm, and what impact it has had on employment.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has not undertaken an economic impact analysis on the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm. However, the operator SSE has done so and their analysis is available at: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/22cf9a_f92d869d19c14f86b7aceb4dc304da2a.pdf  

11 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions (a) it has and (b) its agencies have had with the operator regarding compliance with the Fair Work Convention by supply chain companies contracted to work on the Moray East Offshore Wind Farm.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government supports the Convention’s vision for Scotland to be a fair work nation by 2025. The Framework underpins our Fair Work Action Plan and provides guidance for employers to promote and support fair work practices. The Scottish Government’…

11 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps (a) it is and (b) its agencies are taking to ensure that Scottish companies can compete for work on the supply chain contracts issued as part of the Moray East Offshore Wind Farm.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We have stressed the importance of utilising the Scottish supply chain wherever possible in the build out of the Moray East Offshore Wind Farm to both the operator and tier one suppliers. Earlier in the year, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy & Fair …