Mark Ruskell

4 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how noise detection equipment is being deployed by Police Scotland in relation to motorbikes that break noise limits.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government recognises that transport noise is a concern, can be distressing, and has an impact on health and well-being. That is why we are working with our partners – including Police Scotland - to implement a range of actions to reduce no…

1 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect marine life currently at risk from bottom-trawling, and whether these actions will include further enforcement of requirements to release unintended bycatch immediately, reinstating spatial limits on bottom-trawling in coastal areas, and improving vess…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We are committed to working in partnership with our fisheries stakeholders and coastal communities to develop and deliver proportionate fisheries and marine conservation measures which align environmental protection with a flourishing and profitable fishing i…

1 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update the 2003 guidance, Local Authority Powers to Require Drivers to Switch Off Engines When Parked, to enable local authorities to more effectively enforce the ban on engine idling.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the 2003 guidance, and has been engaging with local authorities as part of this process. Any updates to the guidance will be published in due course.

1 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend regulation 8(b) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 to increase the level of fines from £20 to £80, in order to deter engine idling, in light of reports that fines have not increased in line with inflation.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has no current plans to increase the level of fines for engine idling under regulation 8(b) or the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003. Evidence suggests that the vast majority of requests to sw…

1 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will adopt the recommendations set out in the letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport of 11 March 2025, which was signed by over 20 councillors and environmental and public health groups, regarding the reported lack of enforcement of the ban on engine idling, in order to…

Answer · Gillian Martin: While it is for individual local authorities to decide how to make use of their powers in relation to vehicle idling enforcement, the Scottish Government is currently working to update the 2003 guidance on vehicle idling enforcement. Local Authorities may als…

1 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is a need to improve enforcement of the ban on engine idling to achieve its vision for Scotland to have the cleanest air in Europe and to protect human and environmental health.

Answer · Gillian Martin: 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…

29 Apr 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what pathways are available to obtain a child ADHD assessment for those who do not have a co-existing mental health disorder that meets the CAMHS mental health criteria and who cannot afford a private assessment.

15 Apr 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what the timescale is to adapt the HMP Stirling estate to address the ongoing noise complaints, in light of reports from residents that the noise disturbance is getting worse.

15 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in engaging with officials from the Senedd with regard to the Welsh Government's commitment to phase out greyhound racing.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government routinely engages with Welsh Government officials on a range of animal welfare issues, however, there has been no specific engagement on the commitment made to phase out greyhound racing in Wales.

14 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any unintended consequence of the public procurement process that may have resulted in small businesses being disadvantaged, including losing out on freelance contracts to large internationally owned firms.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Procurement legislation requires public bodies to treat suppliers equally and without discrimination irrespective of size when buying goods, services and works.Through the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, we introduced a legal requirement for public bo…

14 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support households in rural areas with energy costs, in light of the 6.4% increase to the Ofgem price cap.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Energy price setting and regulation is fully reserved to UK Government and the Scottish Government has limited powers to intervene. However, we continue to do what we can, within devolved competence, to support households in rural areas with their energy cost…

29 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out regarding traffic options to enable safer pedestrian access on the A84 at Bridge of Teith.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland and our operating company BEAR Scotland have held discussions with various local stakeholders regarding the A84 Teith Bridge and options for active travel improvement between Doune and Deanston. Transport Scotland is working closely with St…

26 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, which is currently being considered by the House of Lords.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: My officials have had multiple discussions with their counterparts in the Department for Transport on the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill both before and after it was introduced in the House of Lords.In addition, the Minister for Local Transport, Rt. Hon. Simon Lig…

26 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an updated environment strategy.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Section 47 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 requires the Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish an environmental policy strategy. There is no deadline set in the Act for the publication of a strategy. The Scotti…

26 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the appointment of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The post of Traffic Commissioner for Scotland is currently vacant but I understand the role has been advertised on the UK Government’s Public Appointment website. The closing date for applications is 28 April 2025.On 2 April, I received a letter from th…

13 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27244 by Jim Fairlie on 13 May 2024, whether it will provide an update on how many journeys have been made through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, broken down by local authority, based on the latest available data.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The following table shows the number of journeys, broken down by local authority, made through the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme since its launch in January 2022 up to 28 February 2025. Journeys are based on the local authority in which the card…

13 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05017 by Mairi McAllan on 6 January 2022, what plans it has to update the list of game species, including removing species that have been red-listed.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot are currently reviewing the bird species on Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (the list of game species) and will report to Scottish Ministers in due course.Scottish Ministers will consider the findings of the review and decide wh…

13 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the species licensing review will (a) conclude and (b) report to ministers, and by what date the findings will be published.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot expect to present a final version of the species licensing review for external review in April 2025. The review will then be submitted to Scottish Ministers for consideration and the findings published thereafter. We do not yet have a set date for …

12 Mar 2025 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it has had with the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme trustees about investments in Tesla and any other companies that may conflict with the scheme's Statement of Investment Principles.

12 Mar 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will conclude its assessment of the casefor a new rail station at Newburgh.

5 Mar 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on its work to end conversion practices, including whether it anticipates any delay to its joint work with the UK Government on this as a result of recent ministerial changes.

4 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work by the Scottish Prison Service to address reports of noise disturbance at HMP Cornton Vale.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS recognise and appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our neighbours as we try to deliver a lasting solution to the impac…

24 Feb 2025 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will protect the lives of racing greyhounds.

13 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether NatureScot will release the notes of (a) meetings and (b) any other discussions it has had with Scottish Land and Estates to discuss grouse shoot licensing.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot has released correspondence relating to the meetings and discussions through an FOI request.

13 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) meetings and (b) other discussions took place between ministers and/or its officials with NatureScot in advance of the agency introducing new guidance related to “area of land” and new conditions to 16AA licences; whether these changes were approved and, if so, (i) b…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Scottish Government officials had a number of informal discussions with NatureScot in advance of NatureScot introducing guidance and adding a new condition to 16AA licences. NatureScot has the authority to add conditions to grouse shooting licences without re…

13 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) meetings and (b) other discussions NatureScot and Scottish Land and Estates have held to discuss (i) the legal opinions regarding the wording of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 and (ii) what land should be included in a 16AA licence to shoot grouse.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot held seven online conference calls to discuss the legal opinions and definition of land which should be included in a 16AA licence.

13 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NatureScot reportedly did not invite each of the groups involved in the development of the Grouse Code of Practice to (a) meetings and (a) engage in consultation with it to discuss grouse licence conditions.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: In developing the Grouse Code of Practice NatureScot established the Grouse Code Working Group to develop the conditions of the licence for grouse moors and the accompanying Code of Practice. This was then introduced in July 2024.As I set out in response to S…

12 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many train (a) arrivals and (b) departures there have been at (i) Cameron Bridge and (ii) Leven rail station each month since June 2024.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is a matter for ScotRail as the train operating company. The Member may wish to contact ScotRail directly for these details.

22 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08334 by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022, for what reason amendments to permitted development rights for private ways, known as hill tracks, were not included in phase 3 of the permitted development rights review, and what plans it has for ensuring that t…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The phasing of the permitted development rights (PDR) work programme has been kept under review to ensure that it reflects – and helps to promote – the Scottish Government's strategic priorities. As a priority, Phase 3 of the review focussed on PD…

22 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the potential impact on the provision of library services in Mid-Scotland and Fife of the proposed local government settlement for 2025-26.