Parliamentary questions
Liam McArthur
3,644 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19266 by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2023, whether it will specify the criteria for designating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and explain how these differ from the criteria for monitoring MPAs, as set out in the previous answer.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Designation of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (ncMPAs) is underpinned by the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in inshore waters (0-12 nautical miles) and the UK Marine Coastal Act 2009 in offshore waters (12-200 nautical miles). Classification of Speci…
16 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to its commitment in the Islands Connectivity Plan to "provide free foot passenger travel on inter-island ferries for under 22-year-old island residents within the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland Island groups", whether it will provide a more detailed timeline for the intro…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland is currently undertaking a 12 week consultation with stakeholders – including communities and ferry operators – on this and other elements noted in the Islands Connectivity Plan. Timescales for implementation will be considered in due cours…
15 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities that are yet to publish their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and delivery plan have indicated by what date these will be completed, and, if so, (a) which ones and (b) what timeframes have been offered.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government is able to confirm that we are expecting around a further 9 local authorities to publish their LHEES by the end of March 2024, with the remaining LHEES expected to be published by the end of the summer. We are encouraged by the qualit…
15 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the publication of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and delivery plans by local authorities, whether it will provide an update on which local authorities' (a) LHEES and (b) delivery plans (i) were published by and (ii) have been published since 31 Decemb…
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Eleven local authorities published their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and Delivery Plans by 31 December 2023. Between 1 January 2024 and the time of writing, a further two local authorities have published their Local Heat and Energy Ef…
7 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19267 by Mairi McAllan on 27 June 2023, whether it will provide a more specific timeframe for the delivery of the next report to the Parliament.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: As required by Section 103 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the next report to the Scottish Parliament on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will be published in 2024. The Scottish Government intends to publish the next report in December 2024. Reporting occurs …
7 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19266 by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2023, how many sites are currently being monitored.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Routine monitoring is not carried out in all Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Scottish MPA Monitoring Strategy sets out a framework for a risk-based approach to planning and prioritising monitoring activities. Prioritisation of MPA monitoring effort is guid…
7 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to tackling fuel poverty in the (a) Scottish Budget for (i) 2020-21, (ii) 2021-22, (iii) 2022-23 and (iv) 2023-24 and (b) draft Budget for 2024-25.
Answer · Gillian Martin: We have committed to a £1.8 billion investment over the course of this parliamentary term to make our homes warmer, greener and more efficient. This includes an allocation of £350m to heat, energy efficiency and fuel poverty measures in 2023-24, including £11…
7 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24707 by Richard Lochhead on 6 February 2024, how it defines "access" to a superfast broadband in that context, and in particular whether that includes homes where the relevant infrastructure is not yet in place but could hypothetically be installed.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Access to superfast broadband means that there is the availability of superfast broadband infrastructure at a property, delivered either through the R100 programme or commercial deployment, and a superfast broadband service can be ordered. Any new service – …
7 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) area and (b) proportion of publicly owned land is currently allocated for rewilding.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government and NatureScot do not use the term rewilding, since it encompasses such a wide range of activities and can be interpreted in many different ways. The type of information requested is not, in any case, held centrally since individual la…
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22049 by Tom Arthur on 20 October 2023, whether it can provide an update on the work that is being undertaken to implement a devolved tax, and whether it will provide more details regarding any barriers to its implementation.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) was deferred due to state aid issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption. In January 2023, the UK Government replaced EU state aid rules with its own subsidy control regime. The Scottish Gover…
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of its revised prison suicide prevention strategy.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS have completed the first stage of a review of Talk To Me, our suicide prevention strategy which was gathering the evidence base. T…
6 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average length of time that prison inmates were confined to their cells per day was for each of the last 12 months, broken down by prison institution.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: The complex characteristics of our prison population requires SPS to adopt an individualised approach to establishment regimes. Due to…
5 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the report, Nothing to See Here, which was published on 5 February 2024, and, in particular, the findings that (a) "official narratives" suggest that most deaths in custody are "regrettable but inevitable" and (b) "FAIs are normalising the deaths o…
Answer · Angela Constance: Every death in custody is tragic and a matter for concern. We will carefully consider the findings of this report. The health and wellbeing of all those in custody is a priority for this Government and we continue to work with partners to ensure their safety.…
5 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many drugs deaths there have been in custody (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of total deaths in custody in each of the last five years, also broken down by drug category or categories implicated, including cases involving (i) synthetic opioids (ii) synthetic benzodiazepines and …
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: Any death of an individual whilst in the care of the SPS is a tragedy, irrespective of the cause. Unfortunately, there have been 34 de…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Used Electric Vehicle Loan scheme was closed, and whether it is considering reopening this, or opening a similar scheme, in the future.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Used Electric Vehicle Loan Scheme (‘The Low Carbon Transport Loan’) is administered on behalf of Scottish Ministers by Energy Saving Trust, who are an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency. Funding has been provided to EST to a…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any projections for any inflation-based losses incurred on interest-free loans issued through its new and used electric vehicle loan schemes, and, if so, whether it will publish these projections.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has not made any projections for any inflation-based losses incurred on the interest-free loan. In response to the maturing EV market as well as the current cost of living crisis we have reduced the amount of funds provided per vehicle…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much and (b) what proportion of money in total distributed through its (i) Electric Vehicle Loan scheme and (ii) Used Electric Vehicle Loan scheme (A) has been repaid to date and (B) it anticipates will be repaid.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government provides annual funding to Energy Saving Trust (EST) who are an independent organisation looking to address the climate emergency, EST then delivery the Low Carbon Transport Loan on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Since the scheme laun…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it currently provides for people who are reliant on cars for personal transport to help them reduce their transport emissions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government through its delivery partner Energy Saving Trust (EST) offer a wide range of consumer incentives designed to support individuals and businesses across Scotland transition to net zero models of transport. We are the only nation in the …
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a projected timeframe for the return of any money issued through its (a) Electric Vehicle Loan scheme and (b) Used Electric Vehicle Loan scheme.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Low Carbon Transport Loan (LCTL) is administered by Energy Saving Trust (EST) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The scheme’s terms and conditions require the loan to be repaid over a term of up to 6 years (depending on the loan applied for). EST can recycl…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how (a) many applications to the Used Electric Vehicle Loan scheme were (i) received and (ii) approved and (b) much money was provided in loans, in each month that the scheme was active.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government provides annual funding to Energy Saving Trust (EST) who are an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency, EST then deliver the Used Electric Vehicle Loan on behalf of Scottish Minister. Since the used electric…
29 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23748 by Siobhian Brown on 20 December 2023, to which religion the "religious grounds" referred to are relevant, and how many couples it estimates this encompasses.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23651 on 7 December 2023 as advised in the answer, the Scottish Government understands that the rule that a marriage is voidable by reason of permanent and incurable impotency is little used. The available civ…
22 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-02720 by Humza Yousaf on 18 January 2024, whether the First Minister plans to request the addition of a correction in the Official Report in relation to his claim that "All homes and businesses across Scotland can currently access a superfast broadb…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: As outlined in response to question S6W-24707 on 6 February 2024 every home and business across Scotland should be able to access a superfast broadband connection – either through fixed line broadband, mobile broadband, fixed wireless access or using newer te…
18 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-02720 by Humza Yousaf on 18 January 2024, which states that “all homes and businesses in Scotland can currently access a superfast broadband service”, whether it will provide the evidentiary basis for this statement.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: As outlined in response to question S6W-24754 on 6 February 2024, Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report from December 2023 report states that “Starlink [an LEO satellite service] currently delivers nationwide broadband coverage, including in harder-to-reach areas”…
18 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-02720 by Humza Yousaf on 18 January 2024 that “all homes and businesses in Scotland can currently access a superfast broadband service”, how many properties in Orkney currently have access to superfast broadband, defined as access to download speeds…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Every home and business across Scotland, including on Orkney, should be able to access a superfast broadband connection – either through fixed line broadband, mobile broadband, fixed wireless access or using newer technologies such as Low Earth Orbit satellit…
18 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23961 by Patrick Harvie on 15 January 2024, what plans are (a) in place and (b) being considered for future expansion of existing projects supported through Scotland’s Heat Network Fund (SHNF) and the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (…
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Scotland’s Heat Network Fund (SHNF) and the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) has to date provided over £62 million to support the roll out of several heat networks across Scotland. The SHNF also offers funding to specifically support the…
18 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23961 by Patrick Harvie on 15 January 2024, how many terawatt-hours of heating and cooling these existing projects will deliver.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: In order to obtain accurate data from projects funded through Scotland’s Heat Network Fund and the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme we need to gather information for a reasonable time period post commissioning of the project to ensure accurate d…
16 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20497 by Jenni Minto on 28 August 2023, whether it will provide an update on the timeline for producing a draft strategy for consultation.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government aims to publish our new palliative and end of life care strategy for consultation in spring 2024.
20 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many instances there have been where a person under the age of 18 was held on remand in a prison facility for adults in (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22, (c) 2022-23 and (d) 2023 to date.
Answer · Angela Constance: Data covering the period 2020-23 is available via the published National Statistics on the Scottish Prison Population. Over this period, under 18s were held on remand in the following establishments: HMP YOI Cornton Vale, HMP YOI Grampian, HMP YOI Polmont, H…
20 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hours of outdoor exercise prisoners had, on average, per day, in each of the last 12 months.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS does not record this information.
20 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prison cells housing the general prison population and those in solitary confinement are not furnished with (a) a table, (b) seating for the daytime, such as a chair or bench and (c) a bed and bedding at night, and where in the prison estate any such cells are located.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: When an individual is allocated a prison cell in any establishment, the cell is equipped with furnishings such as a table/tabletop, se…