Parliamentary questions
Mark Ruskell
1,773 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-14744 by Kevin Stewart on 27 February 2018, by what date the planning appeal decision regarding Airthrey Kerse in Bridge of Allan (PPA-390-2043) will be made, and what the reason is for the delay in announcing this.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: You will appreciate that I cannot provide a specific date, but will make a decision on this recalled appeal as soon as possible. As Planning Minister I always ensure that no unnecessary delay occurs in the issue of a decision. As with all planning appeals bef…
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the recent disappearance of the satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle in circumstances similar to those defined as “suspicious” in the Scottish Natural Heritage report, Analyses of the fate of satellite tracked golden eagles in Scotland, will result in (a) a review of the general l…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The circumstances of the recent disappearance of a satellite-tagged while-tailed eagle are similar to those defined as “suspicious” in the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report, Analyses of the fate of satellite tracked golden eagles in Scotland. The case is…
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the search for the satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle that recently went missing in Glen Quaich in Perthshire was conducted in accordance with Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAWS) protocols regarding follow-up police searches.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There is no Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland protocol on the conduct of police searches for missing raptors. The conduct of such searches is entirely an operational decision for, and the responsibility of, Police Scotland.
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what forms of public compliance monitoring will be put in place regarding the research licence issued by Scottish Natural Heritage in the Strathbraan/Glen Quaich area of Perthshire to cull large numbers of ravens over the next five years.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will monitor work undertaken under the licence to cull ravens granted to the Strathbraan Community Collaboration for Waders throughout the year, including carrying out inspections on the ground. The licence has been granted ini…
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) other devolved administrations in 2018 regarding changes in animal cruelty sentencing legislation.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is aware of the intentions of the UK Government and other devolved administrations in relation to changes in animal cruelty sentencing legislation. There have been no formal discussions of the issue in 2018.
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to assess any governance gap in environmental matters that may arise as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU, and when it expects to publish its consultation on this issue.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is actively considering where environmental governance gaps in Scotland may arise should the UK leave the EU. To assist with this, I asked the Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change to advise on any potential environmental govern…
19 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a UK exit from the EU, whether it supports the inclusion in any withdrawal/future relationship agreement of provisions to require UK administrations to comply with the principle of non-regression in relation to environmental protection and, if there was no such provision, wh…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has been clear that that the UK’s decision to leave the EU must not provide an excuse to lower environmental standards in Scotland, the UK or Europe. We are fully committed to continuing to maintain, protect and enhance environmental s…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to allowing police officers to issue recorded warnings for speeding, which can be subsequently followed-up by fines and points on licences.
Answer · James Wolffe QC: The Lord Advocate's Guidelines on the Operation of Police Conditional Offers of Fixed Penalty, provide guidance to the Police on action that may be taken in relation to speeding offences. Available action includes the provision of a warning in a case which do…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much is being spent on 20mph speed limit campaigns, including advertisements and enforcement.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is currently not running any campaigns in relation to 20mph speed limits. While not specifically on 20mph speed limits, Road Safety Scotland, the Scottish Government’s principle road safety delivery partner, runs the “In Town Slow Dow…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) regarding securing additional funding for national nature reserves, and whether funding and staffing for SNH-managed reserves will increase or decrease in the next two years.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government officials discuss priority areas of work, including those identified in the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Corporate Plan 2018-2022 Connecting People and Nature , with SNH on an ongoing basis. SNH decides, through its annual business p…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contribution national nature reserves make toward achieving Scottish Biodiversity Strategy targets.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH’s) 36 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) contribute directly to many of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy targets. For example: SNH has active or planned peatland restoration and conservation work on ten of its reserves. Four re…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Natural Heritage has spent on site management budgets for national nature reserves in each of the last five years.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) publishes details of the annual expenditure on Managed Sites in its Annual Reports, which are available on the SNH website, http://www.snh.gov.uk/ . The following table sets out the published figures for 2013-14 to 2016-17 an…
18 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Natural Heritage staff have been employed on site for the direct management of national nature reserves in each of the last five years.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The following table sets out Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) estimates for staff employed on site for the direct management of its National Nature Reserves in each of the last five years. Staff time supporting delivery of SNH’s outcomes through its NNRs Fin…
23 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent sheep worrying by dogs.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government fully supports all steps taken to protect sheep from out of control dogs. The consequences of sheep worrying can be devastating all year round and in particular in lambing season. The 'sheep-wise' video produced by Quality Meat Scotla…
21 Mar 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a levy on vacant and derelict land.
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Book of Deer being returned to Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Book of Deer is an important part of Scotland’s heritage. The manuscript has long been in the collection of the University of Cambridge Library. By tradition and statute, decisions on cultural collections are made independently of Government. The Scottish…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the welfare challenges associated with (a) cats bred with (i) dwarfism, such as the Munchkin cat and (ii) cartilage deformities, such as the Scottish Fold cat and (b) brachycephalic cats, such as extreme breeds of Persian cats.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has long stressed that any organisation laying down breed standards must give paramount regard to the health and welfare of the animals, including the need to avoid breed-specific health problems. We are also considering developing gui…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will report on the findings of its consultation regarding the registration and licensing of animal sanctuaries and rehoming activities.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government published the responses received to the consultation on the registration and licensing of animal sanctuaries and rehoming activities on 29 March 2018. These are publicly available at https://consult.gov.scot/animal-welfare/animal-sanc…
19 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making with its plans to improve licensing for cat breeding, dealing and selling.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government will bring forward plans to update regulations for the licensing of cat, dog and rabbit breeding, dealing and selling for appropriate public consultation in due course.
16 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the (a) SFA, (b) Scottish Professional Football League, (c) PFA Scotland and (d) Scottish Junior Football Association regarding the mental health and wellbeing support available that is offered to footballers, and what its position is on the effectiveness …
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I am aware of the mental health challenges footballers can face, and the Scottish Government engages with the Scottish FA, SPFL, PFA Scotland and the Scottish Junior Football Association on this and a wide variety of issues. A range of support is available t…
16 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to programmes that raise awareness regarding mental health and wellbeing issues for footballers.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is working closely with a range of organisations in football and more widely to raise awareness of this important issue. The Scottish Government is also working with the Foundations associated with football clubs to consider how we can…
14 Mar 2018 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to local authorities responsible for the maintenance of strategic park and ride facilities.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: There is no specific financial support for the maintenance of park and ride facilities in Scotland. The Scottish Government provides financial support for the development of new park and ride facilities. On-going maintenance costs is a matter for the local au…
13 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the rail enhancements and capital investment strategy.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Rail Enhancements & Capital Investment Strategy was published on 19 March 2018 and can be found at the following links. https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/rail/rail-policy-and-strategy/#45406 https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/…
7 Mar 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis the health secretary has made of the potential implications for Scotland of the findings in the recent annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for England, which addressed the impact on public health of pollution.
4 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential impact on Scotland of the proposals in the Nuclear Safeguards Bill, which has been introduced in the UK Parliament.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Nuclear safeguards are activities to verify that nuclear material and equipment are not diverted from their intended use as declared by the users and that international legal obligations to use nuclear material and equipment for peaceful purposes are honoured…
26 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch its consultation on the introduction of compulsory video recording of slaughter at abattoirs in order to aid the enforcement of welfare requirements by abattoir management and Food Standards Scotland, as outlined in its Programme for Government 2017-18.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: As announced in the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government will consult, by the spring of 2018, on the introduction of compulsory video recording of slaughter at abattoirs in Scotland to aid enforcement of welfare requirements by abattoir managemen…
19 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09643 by Kevin Stewart on 19 June 2017, by what date the planning appeal decision regarding Airthrey Kerse in Bridge of Allan (PPA-390-2043) will be made.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Ministers are currently giving this proposal full and proper consideration and will issue a decision as soon as possible.
19 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10828 by Humza Yousaf on 14 September 2017, how many incidents of stop-skipping have occurred on the ScotRail network since 20 August 2017, and what percentage of trains this represents, broken down by station affected.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Between 20 August 2017 and 3 February 2018 (rail periods 6-11 inclusive), there were 3,684 separate incidences of skip-stopping reported to Transport Scotland. This is 1.06 percent of the total numbers of services planned to be run over this period (348,132 i…
19 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether building accreditation schemes provide adequate protection for non-contracting neighbours in communal properties.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: I assume the member’s concern relates to common repairs. Procedures for agreeing how common repairs can be carried out may be set out in title deeds for the properties. If the title deeds do not lay down procedures for agreeing how common repairs can be car…
19 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions there are to deal with disputes regarding party walls.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Disputes about party walls are private legal matters to be resolved by agreement between those involved in the dispute or, if they cannot reach agreement, by going to court or by using Alternative Dispute Resolution, such as mediation. The Scottish Mediation …