Liam McArthur

16 Sep 2019 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the reported backlog of unresolved criminal cases.

13 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Prison Officers' Association Scotland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I last met with the Prison Officer Association (Scotland) (POA(S)) on 6 June 2019. I also spoke with the POA(S) during a telephone call on 30 August 2019 to discuss a wide range of issues.

13 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-22719 by Humza Yousaf on 16 May 2019, whether it will provide the same data for (a) May, (b) June, (c) July and (d) August 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Data is not currently held for 2020, however I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond with relevant data for 2019. His response is as follows: The following tables provide a breakdown of the average occup…

13 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether risk impact assessments have been conducted in each prison in response to the reported increases in the prison population.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: SPS has undertaken detailed preparation and action planning in order to safely manage the increased Scottish prison population. This a…

13 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Audit Scotland report, The 2018/19 audit of the Scottish Prison Service.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the Member to the answer that I gave to question S5T-01787 in the Chamber on 17 September 2019. The answer to the Topical Question is available on the Parliaments website, the Official Report can be viewed at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentary…

13 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 of the reported population increase at HMP Low Moss.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: Whilst an increased prison population can place greater pressure on basic services and facilities, the Health and Safety of those who …

13 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is had regarding establishing a long-term base for the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth Project, and what plans it has to fund the project beyond 31 March 2020.

Answer · Maree Todd: On 11 September, it was announced that the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth service will move to Kibble Education and Care Centre from 31 October and funding will remain in place until the end of March 2020. The Scottish Government are actively exploring l…

12 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the UK Government and Ofgem to develop strategies, other than the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme, to ensure parity in heating and energy costs between the north of Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-25316 on 26 September 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliament…

12 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the UK Government and Ofgem to ensure that there is parity in network distribution between the north of Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Electricity network policy and pricing is reserved to the UK Government. We recognise that network charges in the north of Scotland, despite being reduced as a result of the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme (HBRS), remain higher than those in the rest of Grea…

10 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the collection of empty drinks containers through its proposed deposit return system will be provided at the producers' expense for all retailers and other operators of collection points, irrespective of their location.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As set out in the draft Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Regulations, published on 10 September 2019, producers, directly or through a scheme administrator, will be obliged to collect scheme packaging marketed by that producer from all return points free of charge…

10 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any international evidence that suggests that being included in a deposit return system has led to an increase in the price of the drinks themselves.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Deposit Return Scheme Full Business Case Stage 1 establishes that the cost of the scheme will be borne in part by producers as a form of extended producer responsibility. As in any competitive market, it is for producers to determine how much of this cost…

9 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to recent reports that Orkney’s harbour seal population has declined by 85% in the last 20 years, and what steps are being taken to identify the reasons for this decline.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In response to local declines in harbour seal populations, the Scottish Government introduced a Seal Conservation Area for Orkney in 2007 which provides additional protection to vulnerable seal populations. Scottish Government is currently funding a major re…

9 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £3.5 million investment in upgrades and investment of ferries in the last year was allocated, including how much was spent on the internal Orkney fleet.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council have traditionally been wholly responsible for their inter-island ferry services, including fares, timetable, operations, pay, terms and conditions and vessels. However, the Scottish Government understands …

9 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when an updated Scottish Ferries Plan will be published, and what consultation will take place with stakeholders ahead of this.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Work has already begun on the next Ferries Plan, which will be concluded by 2022. Some initial stakeholder discussions regarding the scope of the Plan have taken place through the Islands Transport Forum and CalMac Community Board. Detailed plans for further …

9 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the planned £4 million additional investment in ferry services over the next year will be allocated, including how much will be spent on internal Orkney services.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-25223 on 26 September 2019. 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/parliamentarybusin…

5 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to establish a net zero air travel region in the Highlands and Islands, and when it expects to achieve this objective.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Air travel continues to be one of the quickest and most convenient ways to travel, not least for islands communities. We will work to decarbonise scheduled flights within Scotland by 2040. We will support the trialling and introduction of low and zero emissio…

5 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that lifeline air services in the Highlands and Islands are accessible and affordable while establishing a net zero air travel region.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A move to decarbonising air services in the Highlands and Islands has the potential to make communities more accessible and more affordable. Electric aircraft are expected to have lower operating costs than conventional aircraft, both in terms of fuel costs a…

2 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23068 by Paul Wheelhouse on 22 May 2019, which stated that a formal announcement regarding the successful bidder for the Northern Isles Ferry Services' contract would be "made in August", whether it can confirm who the successful bidder was or by wh…

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Following a fair and transparent public procurement competition, I can today confirm that the preferred bidder to operate the Northern Isles Ferry Services is Serco Ltd. We now enter a statutory ten-day standstill period, before confirming the formal award of…

9 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Orkney Islands Council since 2016 regarding the delivery of more affordable homes in Orkney.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has continued to have regular engagement with Orkney Islands Council since 2016 regarding the resources available to the Council for the delivery of affordable homes in Orkney. Scottish Government and Orkney Islands Council officials w…

9 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it makes available to rural and island communities to encourage them to access funding from the Rural and Islands Housing Funds.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Following the announcement on the Islands Housing Fund, the Scottish Government issued a news release in September 2016 to confirm availability of the Fund. Information on the fund is also available on the Scottish Government website, including links to a num…

9 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of comments by Rural Housing Scotland, what steps it is taking to remove the "substantial barriers" to communities using funding from the Rural and Islands Housing Funds.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Rural Housing Scotland was one of the organisations on the rural housing sounding group that helped inform the fund set up and guidance. The group was reconvened in autumn 2017 to discuss progress of the fund and to provide comments on the guidance. Rural Hou…

9 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £5 million for the Islands Housing Fund has been spent in Orkney since 2016.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: A total of £136,377 from the Islands Housing Fund has been spent in Orkney since 1 April 2016.

9 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with its aim to build 100 new homes by 2021 through the Islands Housing Fund, and how much of the £5 million funding has been used since 2016 to meet this aim.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: A total of 16 homes have been approved through the Islands Housing Fund, with seven complete. A further 20 projects have been assisted with feasibility support and overall £1,343,551 has been allocated towards Island Housing Fund projects.

9 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Islands Housing Fund there have been from Orkney since 2016, and how many of these applications have been (a) completed, (b) approved, (c) withdrawn and (d) not approved.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Since 2016, there have been two main applications to the Islands Housing Fund from Orkney. One project has completed, the other has been approved and is on site. No applications have been withdrawn or not approved. The Scottish Government has also provided fe…

6 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether an impact assessment of the closure of the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth service has been carried out and, if so, what the conclusions were.

Answer · Maree Todd: The needs of the 10 young people supported through the IVY service are paramount. IVY are currently working with those young people and their local authority to ensure that services and supports, including appropriate support around transitions, are in place …

6 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to establish an alternative provider for the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth service.

Answer · Maree Todd: CYCJ alerted the Scottish Government to its intention to cease hosting this service at Strathclyde University in November 2017. The Scottish Government have been engaged in a number of discussions between the IVY service, CYCJ and potential alternative hosts …

6 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been referred to the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth service in each year since its inception.

Answer · Maree Todd: Information provided by the IVY service shows that they have received around 50 referrals per year since its inception. Approximately 25 of those referred per year progressed to level 2 and approximately 10 then progressed to level 3. IVY are currently workin…

6 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth service is no longer accepting referrals, what will happen to (a) existing and (b) new referrals.

Answer · Maree Todd: We understand that the IVY service are in discussions with the organisations responsible for the 10 young people IVY are currently working with to ensure appropriate support continues to be in place for them. Support for young people who may have been referre…

6 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it began negotiations to try to relocate the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth service.

Answer · Maree Todd: CYCJ alerted the Scottish Government to its intention to cease hosting this service at Strathclyde University in November 2017. The Scottish Government have been engaged in a number of discussions between the IVY service, CYCJ and potential alternative hosts …

2 Aug 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-24070 by Joe FitzPatrick on 26 July 2019, whether it will provide the figures for the period broken down by year.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The following table shows laboratory confirmed reports in Scotland of Borrelia burgdorferi , the bacteria which causes Lyme disease , reported to Health Protection Scotland (HPS) June 2014 to May 2019 in each NHS board area by year NHS Board 2014 Jun-Dec 2…