Mark Ruskell

25 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of ScotRail's consultation on the staffing of ticket offices, whether it or Transport Scotland has assessed the potential impact of reduced ticket office opening hours on rail passenger safety.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The consultation phase of Scotrail’s review into Ticket Offices closed on 2 February and Transport Focus, the independent watchdog for transport users, will collate responses and also provide their own view in the consultation process. I will await the result…

25 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has had with (a) rail unions and (b) other stakeholders in the last 12 months on developing new rail freight routes and services.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government routinely receives correspondence from a range of stakeholders including those who are interested in growing rail freight. With regard to rail unions specifically, ASLEF wrote in November 2021 to the then Minister for Transport, and th…

24 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any correspondence that it has had with (a) SEPA, (b) Health and Safety Executive and (c) Fife Council regarding reported ongoing health and safety concerns at Shell’s natural gas liquids plant and ExxonMobil's ethylene plant at Mossmorran.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: It is for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as independent regulator, to regulate facilities like the Mossmorran Complex in order to provide assurance that operators are managing the risks created during their activities. The HSE liaises regularly with S…

24 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what further action it is taking to address the impacts of flaring on surrounding communities of Shell’s natural gas liquids plant and ExxonMobil's ethylene plant at Mossmorran.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: It is for SEPA , as the independent regulator, to regulate facilities like the Mossmorran Complex in order to protect the environment. The Scottish Government has regular discussions with SEPA on the progress of both the improvement works at the complex and S…

21 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has had with (a) NatureScot, (b) Country Sports Scotland and (c) other stakeholders regarding action to address reported concerns about the rapid decline of ptarmigan.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: a) We are in regular contact with NatureScot on a range of wildlife management issues, including discussions on the management of ptarmigan. b) The Scottish Government has had no direct correspondence with Country Sports Scotland in relation to ptarmigan. c…

21 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect ptarmigan, currently classed under the UK Red List for birds, from further decline.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: There are a range of factors which may contribute to a decline in a species’ population or a contraction of species’ range. It is likely that one of the main drivers of population decline in ptarmigan is habitat loss caused by climate change. The Scottish Gov…

21 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to the ScotRail Ticket Office Consultation, whether it has assessed the impact of reduced ticket office opening hours on rail network accessibility for disabled and older passengers.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05833 on 4 February 2022. 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…

20 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the regulation of canine fertility clinics.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Programme for Government 2020-21 commits the Scottish Government to consult on proposals to extend the new regulatory framework that came into force on 1 September last year for the licensing of dog, cat and rabbit breeding activities, animal welfare esta…

20 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will manage the transition from the Renewable Heat Incentive to new replacement grant regimes.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Non-Domestic RHI (NDRHI) scheme closed to new applicants on 31 March 2021. The Domestic RHI (DRHI) scheme is set to close on 31 March 2022. The Scottish Government has set out in its Heat in Buildings Strategy a number of grant schemes which will continue…

20 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how rail unions will be involved in ScotRail's governance board once it moves into public ownership.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Discussions with the Rail Trade Union representatives are underway and I look forward to personally having the opportunity to discuss this topic at my meeting with all Rail Trade Unions on Thursday 10 February.

20 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it had with the rail unions regarding their joint report, A Vision for Scotland's Railways, which was published in November 2021.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: We welcome that the unions are sharing their ideas and views. Transport Scotland officials attended the launch of the unions’ publication, and the previous Minister for Transport discussed various subjects covered in that report in his engagements with the un…

10 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-04188 by Maree Todd on 16 November 2021, whether sportscotland has allocated funding to support the development of a tennis centre at Park of Keir for financial year 2022-23.

Answer · Maree Todd: sport scotland has made a provisional allocation of up to £5m in its forward budgeting for the development of a potential tennis facility at Park of Keir, consisting of a mix of Scottish Government and National Lottery funding. However, at this stage, a full…

10 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-04188 by Maree Todd on 16 November 2021, whether sportscotland allocated capital funding to support the development of a tennis centre at Park of Keir for financial year 2021-22.

Answer · Maree Todd: sport scotland’s budget for 2022-23 is currently in development and is subject to financial arrangements for 2022-23 agreed between Scottish Government and sport scotland. However, at this stage sport scotland does not expect to have any expenditure against …

7 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many fines for vehicle idling have been (a) issued and (b) paid in each year since 2016, also broken down by local authority.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: This information is not held centrally and is a matter for individual local authorities. Guidance issued by the Scottish Government to assist authorities in undertaking vehicle idling enforcement duties encourages the issuing of fixed penalties only if a reas…

7 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the use of local authority powers to tackle vehicle idling.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government regularly engages with COSLA on air quality matters. However there have been no recent discussions on the specific issue of local authority powers to tackle vehicle idling, as the authorities themselves are best placed to make decision…

7 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to tackle idling of private vehicles, and whether it will introduce further measures to tackle idling.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 provide local authorities with powers to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers of parked idling vehicles who refuse a reasonable request to switch off their engines. It is for i…

5 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government under which sector emissions from waste incineration are reported in its Climate Change Plan.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Under the Climate Change Plan, emissions from the disposal of waste via incineration without energy recovery are reported in the waste sector. This mainly comprises Commercial and Industrial Wastes, principally sewage sludges and clinical wastes. Emissions f…

5 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what changes in emissions are modelled in its Climate Change Plan that are based on the introduction of the biodegradable municipal landfill ban, and whether these changes are attributed to the waste sector.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributed to the waste sector in the Climate Change Plan (CCP) include emissions arising from landfill sites, waste water treatment, composting and other waste treatments, including incineration of sewage sludges and clinical w…

5 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in each year for which records are available, what emissions have been reported for the incineration of (a) household waste, (b) commercial and industrial waste and (c) all waste included in its Climate Change Plan.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The data specified in the question is held in a range of different data sources as summarised below. As each element of the answer is taken from a different data source there will be variations in methodology which mean that they are not directly comparable. …

21 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the rural affairs secretary last met Marine Scotland to discuss Scotland's Marine Assessment 2020.

20 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the findings from the Decarbonising the Scottish transport sector report commissioned by Transport Scotland, which concluded that a significant reduction in aviation demand is required to meet Scotland’s 2030 emissions reduction target, will infor…

Answer · Graeme Dey: The report by Element Energy noted that a combination of increased up-take of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and behavioural change is the lowest risk pathway to achieving the 33% reduction in aviation emissions needed to meet Scotland’s emissions targets. Our con…

20 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) (i) noise and (ii) air pollution and (b) environmental and health risks to communities near airports will be addressed in its aviation strategy.

Answer · Graeme Dey: We are carrying out a consultation to inform the development of an aviation strategy, so at this stage no decisions have been made about the final content. While the discussion document focuses on four key areas; the transition to low and zero emission aviati…

20 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the recommendations on aviation in the Climate Change Committee report, Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland – 2021 Report to Parliament, will be addressed in its aviation strategy.

Answer · Graeme Dey: We are carrying out a consultation to inform the development of our aviation strategy, so at this stage no decisions have been made about what will be addressed. The consultation includes questions on how the Scottish Government can help to reduce the environ…

17 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with SEPA, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Benchmark regarding the use and release of imidacloprid-based treatments in Scotland’s marine environment.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Further to the answer to question S6W-00511 on 21 June 2021, the Scottish Government has had no discussion regarding the use and release of imidacloprid-based treatments in Scotland’s marine environment with SEPA, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Benc…

15 Dec 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to Scotland’s Climate Assembly’s recommendations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I am pleased to inform Parliament that the Scottish Government has today laid its response to Scotland’s Climate Assembly. The Assembly has been a truly historic process resulting in recommendations which are already guiding the future of our country. Our re…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure the safety of bus drivers in relation to COVID-19, in light of the ongoing impact of the Omicron variant in Scotland.

Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05153 on 5 January 2022. 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…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to encourage bus passengers to wear a face covering, unless they are exempt.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland has produced extensive guidance on travelling safely for all forms of transport since the start of the pandemic and this is available via the following web links (for operators and passengers respectively). https://www.transport.gov.scot/c…

10 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will measure the impact of free bus travel for under 22s.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland has undertaken to evaluate the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme following the first full year of operation. The evaluation will assess the short, medium and long term impact of the scheme by comparing conditions at different stages. …

10 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its review of concessionary travel schemes.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The under 26’s review has been undertaken during a period of time where there has been considerable changes in the policy landscape within which concessionary travel rests, and there currently remains a level of uncertainty as the long term impacts of COVID-1…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent RSPB publication, Birds of Conservation Concern 5, whether it plans to (a) review the list of game species and (b) remove species that have now been red-listed, including ptarmigan and woodcock, from the list of game species.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Birds of Conservation Concern, often referred to as the UK Red List for Birds, is published by the British Trust for Ornithology. The report, which reviews the status of all regularly occurring birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, is compiled by …