Liam McArthur

9 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20604 by Humza Yousaf on 8 January 2019, and in light of its answer to question S4W-28511, for what reason the data is no longer available.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The information requested in S5W-20604 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. As stated in the answer to S5W-20604, the operational databases utilised by the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service are not designed to …

9 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20597 by Humza Yousaf on 7 January 2019, whether it will confirm when in 2017 the then justice secretary confirmed that a phased approach would be taken in respect of the five community custody units, and by what date it expects each unit to be full…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: My predecessor confirmed in a letter dated 11 July 2017 to the Justice Committee that the Scottish Government will be taking a phased, evidence-based approach to allow us to be responsive to the changing profile of the female prison population and emerging le…

8 Jan 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18848 by Michael Matheson on 27 September 2018, whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to meet its commitment to maintain the Air Discount Scheme, and by what date it will make its formal announcement regarding the scheme’s co…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to the continuation of the Air Discount Scheme and will make a formal announcement in due course. The Air Discount Scheme is notified to the European Commission under the General Block Exemption Regulation in order to ensu…

14 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government where the female custodial estate will be housed by the end of the current parliamentary session, broken down by (a) institution and (b) respective capacity.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: There are currently 383 women in custody as of 21st December 2018. They are located across 5 prisons in Scotland; HMP and YOI Cornton …

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) longest, (b) average and (c) median time is that a person has spent on remand in each year since 2014.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Some information on remand is held by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Prison Service for operational purposes. However the databases utilised by these organisations are not de…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of hours per week convicted prisoners have been engaged in purposeful activity (a) across the prison estate and (b) in each penal establishment in each year since 2013-14, also broken down by those on (i) short sentences, (ii) long sentences and (iii) remand.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: The following table provides details of the average number of hours of Purposeful Activity delivered per week since 2013–2014. The inf…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what changes have been made to the National Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Prison Service and NHS Scotland since 2011.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: There have been no changes to the National Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SPS and NHS since 2011 however; we have established a Programme of Work which will clarify roles and responsibilities of partners for Health and Social Care in Prisons, which…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20169 by Jeane Freeman on 5 December 2018, whether NHS boards are required to include people in prison when reporting against each standard and waiting times, and to what extent this is tracked by (a) it and (b) NHS Scotland.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: a) The Scottish Government does not currently report separately for those in prison in relation to waiting times and standards. The Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care in Prisons Programme has commissioned NHS Information Services Division to develop…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when up-to-date information on the number of deaths in custody and the completion of each respective Fatal Accident Inquiry will be published by the Scottish Prison Service.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: Any death in prison custody may lead to a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) under the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc.…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last held discussions to identify further locations for community custody units, and what the outcome was.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: Discussions have not yet taken place to identify specific locations for the three remaining Community Custody Units (CCUs). As a phase…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its plans to establish a new female custodial estate, how many of the five new community custody units have agreed locations, and at what stage each unit is in the planning process.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: “I refer the member to the answer provided in S5W-20597 on 7 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availabl…

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward establishing a new female custodial estate, including its commitment to a smaller national prison and five new community custody units.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: In addition to progressing the construction of a new women’s national facility, the former Cabinet Secretary for Justice confirmed in …

13 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects each part of the new female custodial estate to be (a) completed and (b) opened for use.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: Construction of the new facilities is scheduled to begin in the Summer of 2019 with completion timetabled for Autumn 2020. All of the …

10 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) occupancy, (b) occupancy rate and (c) capacity has been in each prison in (i) 2017 and (ii) each month in 2018.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: The following tables provide a breakdown of the Average Occupancy, Capacity and Occupancy rate of each Scottish prison in 2017 as well…

6 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for the content of electronic message boards over motorways.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is responsible for the electronic gantries and variable message signs (VMS) that provide a range of information to drivers on Scotland’s motorways. Day-to-day operation of these gantries and VMS is the responsibility of the Traffic Scotland…

4 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the European Commission’s proposal for a climate neutral EU by 2050, and what impact this will have on Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission’s proposals for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy by 2050. We contributed to the consultation on this strategy, sharing our experience and urging the EU to maintain its leade…

28 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its obligations under the Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, by what date Community Justice Scotland will have appointed a full board.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Community Justice Scotland currently has 8 Board members which is the maximum number permitted by legislation. A recruitment exercise to replace the Chair who resigned on 13 September 2018 is expected to conclude in Spring 2019.

23 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS treatment waiting times for prisoners are recorded separately by ISD Scotland, and how these times compare with those for other patients, broken down by (a) local delivery plan standard and (b) the psychological therapies HEAT access target.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Information Services Division publishes information in relation to waiting times for Local Delivery Plan Standards and HEAT standards. Data for the majority of standards are not routinely broken down by the community and prison, including the psychological th…

21 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Destination Orkney regarding plans to develop tourism in Orkney.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government has had no direct discussions with Destination Orkney. Our support for tourism businesses is delivered through VisitScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. I'd like to wish all the best to those attending O…

16 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the 800 new mental health professionals set out in its 2017-27 mental health strategy will be allocated to (a) A&E departments, (b) GP practices, (c) police stations and (d) prisons.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We are currently working with the Chief Officers of Integration Authorities on the development of this commitment and who will make decisions on the allocation of the additional workers to these key settings in consultation with their partners. As part of ou…

14 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in establishing forensic examination facilities in Orkney for victims of rape or sexual assault.

12 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many new special constables Police Scotland has (a) trained and (b) employed in each year since 2013-14.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The data requested is not held centrally. The recruitment and training of Special Constables is a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.

8 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether a passenger vessel will be allocated to the Stromness-Scrabster route when MV Hamnavoe is on refit in 2019.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The MV Hamnavoe will be unavailable for five days in January whilst the vessel undergoes an essential period of dry dock. Using their best endeavours, the operator, Serco NorthLink Ferries, has searched the open market for a replacement passenger vessel. Howe…

31 Oct 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its longer-term solution for Orkney's internal ferry services, in light of the commitment made on 21 March 2018 by the then Minister for Transport and the Islands to do so “before the summer recess”.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Inter-islands ferries within Orkney and Shetland are wholly the responsibility of the Local Authorities. The Ferries Plan made an offer that the Scottish Government would assume responsibility for Local Authority ferry services, at no net detriment to the Sc…

26 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Quality Meat Scotland and (b) other stakeholders regarding the (i) identification and (ii) promotion of low-emissions meat.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with QMS and other stakeholders regarding quality assurances and activities of programmes that encourage food chain efficiencies and promotion of the Scotch brands. Whilst these discussions will collectively hel…

26 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Parliament agreeing motion S5M-13876, as amended, on 13 September 2018, which called for a Good Food Bill to be introduced "within the next 12 months", whether it will confirm (a) what plans it has to consult on such a bill and (b) when this bill will be introduced.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: A consultation paper is currently being prepared that will seek views on what legislative measures might be required to underpin the significant work that is already being done to deliver our Good Food Nation ambition. This will be published in the autumn.

24 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has done on Scotland’s climate change targets; whether they are world leading, and, if so, in what way.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The advice received from our independent, statutory advisors,the UK Committee on Climate Change, in March 2017, provided two options: 1 - Keep the target for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 80% by 2050 with subsequent reviewsto increase am…

24 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, Global Warming of 1.5 °C.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government welcomes the recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and agrees with its assessment that all countries, as well as businesses and individuals, need to act now if the Paris Agreement goals are to be met. The …

24 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Scotland will be impacted if (a) the UK Government and (b) other countries commit to climate change targets that are more ambitious than its own.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Climate change is a global challenge requiring co-ordinated action across all countries and jurisdictions. As a devolved nation, working in partnership with other national and sub-national Governments is of particular importance to Scotland in achieving high …

24 Oct 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Parliament deferring stage 2 or 3 of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill until it has received updated advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, Global Warming of…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: It is imperative that the advice from the Committee on Climate Change is considered by the Scottish Parliament prior to the Bill being finalised. The Scottish Government is aiming for the Bill to complete its passage during this Parliamentary year, which is w…