Liam McArthur

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the SPA regarding cyber kiosks.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Officials met with the Head of Police Scotland’s Cybercrime Unit in November 2017 and were briefed on the work of the Unit, including the proposed use of cyber kiosks. Separate discussions with Police Scotland and with the SPA took place in April and May 2018.

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government many times cyber kiosks have been used by Police Scotland in each month since their introduction.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The deployment of cyber kiosks is a matter for Police Scotland.

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many gigabytes of data storage are required for the information acquired by Police Scotland using cyber kiosks.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The deployment of cyber kiosks is a matter for Police Scotland.

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date ministers were made aware of Police Scotland's (a) interest and (b) investment in cyber kiosks.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The proposal for cyber kiosks features within the section of Police Scotland's Implementation Plan 2017-2020 which focuses on enhancing cyber and forensic capability. The draft Plan was shared with Ministers on 13 December 2017.

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) legislation and (b) rules apply to Police Scotland's use of cyber kiosks, and what guidance is given to officers and staff using them.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The deployment of cyber kiosks is a matter for Police Scotland. Police Scotland work to a series of standard operating procedures including those supporting Data Protection. Prior to the intended deployment of cyber kiosks and in adherence to the Data Protect…

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what oversight there is of the use of cyber kiosks by Police Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) holds Police Scotland to account. To aid their efforts, the SPA Board is currently considering a proposal to establish a designated SPA Committee to oversee police refor…

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland extracts only relevant information from electronic devices when using cyber kiosks.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The deployment of cyber kiosks is a matter for Police Scotland.

2 May 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on there being a distinct rural dimension to fuel poverty, and whether it plans to take forward all of the recommendations of the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force.

17 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15787 by Roseanna Cunningham on 16 April 2018, whether it will publish the correspondence between it and the UK Government regarding coordinating plans for a deposit-return scheme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government will shortly publish the correspondence between myself and the UK Government regarding co-ordinating work on deposit return.

11 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of possession, without intent to supply, of (a) heroin, (b) cocaine, (c) cannabis, (d) amphetamines, (e) ecstasy and (f) other drugs in each year since 2011-12 received (i) a custodial sentence, (ii) a community payback order, including a requirement to carry ou…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The available information is provided in the following table, which has been produced from the Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database . People convicted for possession of drugs 1 , by drug type and main penalty, 2011-12 to 2016-17   2011-12 20…

3 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to coordinating its plans for a deposit-return scheme with that announced by the UK Government.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government wrote to the other UK administrations on 29 March 2018 inviting a Ministerial discussion in Scotland on the scope for potential collaboration on deposit return.

28 Mar 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report of the Independent Advisory Group on the Use of Biometric Data in Scotland, what its position is on introducing (a) a new legislative framework for biometrics, (b) a code of practice covering the acquisition, retention, use and disposal of DNA, fingerprints, facia…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government response, which sets out next steps for taking forward each of the recommendations, is available at http://www.gov.scot/About/Review/biometric-data/sgresponse . We will now work closely with Police Scotland and other stakeholders to…

26 Mar 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who is on its expert panel to consider how to reduce single-use plastics; when the panel will report; which stakeholders the panel has engaged with, and what funding it has been given.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is currently finalising the membership of the expert panel that will consider how best to tackle out throwaway culture and address the issue of disposable materials. We will announce details of membership, workplan and funding in due c…

19 Mar 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with representatives of the tourism sector in (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland regarding any impact of the uncertainty regarding the date for introducing Road Equivalent Tariff on ferry routes serving the Northern Isles.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland officials regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders through a number of established engagement groups, which include representation from VisitScotland and the tourism sector. The impact of the introduction of RET has been discussed at…

19 Mar 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is committed to making Road Equivalent Tariff available on ferry routes serving Orkney and Shetland from the start of the summer 2018 timetable.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15290 on 27 March 2018. 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/parliamentarybusiness/…

5 Mar 2018 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the capacity of the Scottish Police Authority, and whether the organisation is fit for purpose.

28 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-14439 by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018, whether it will place a copy of PIRC's written submissions and the Scottish Government's responses in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Answer · Michael Matheson: The information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 59595). Some sensitive information has been redacted.

28 Feb 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it sees as the key roles of student associations in representing the interests of students at colleges and universities.

21 Feb 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed changes to the roles of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel will impact on retained fire stations.

9 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions a request has been made by each prison in the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) estate seeking (a) authorisation and (b) an extension of an order to remove a prisoner from association with other inmates in accordance with section 95 of the Prisons and Young Offenders In…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: The initial decision to remove a person from association in accordance with Rule 95(1) of the Prison and Young Offenders Institutions …

6 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 10 January 2018 (Official Report, c. 17), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that that the timeframe for the investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) into the chief constable was "…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14439 on 27 February 2018. 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/parliamentarybusines…

6 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, in light of the PIRC's comment that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigatio…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14439 on 27 February 2018 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/parliamentar…

6 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, in light of the PIRC's comment that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigatio…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) budget for 2017-18 was set out in a letter to PIRC on 31 March 2017. Discussion around demand and resources took place at the regular Sponsorship meetings between PIRC and the Scottish Government on 22…

6 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, when it was made aware of the PIRC's concerns that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which t…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14439 on 27 February 2018. 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/parliamentarybusines…

6 Feb 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the one-off £100,000 that was given to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) in November 2017 was calculated, and what its position is on whether this was sufficient for the PIRC to meet its business demands.

Answer · Michael Matheson: This sum was based on what the Scottish Government assessed could be released within the 2017-18 in-year budget management process.

5 Feb 2018 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister on what date funds from the Saltire Prize for marine energy will be distributed.

31 Jan 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to meet the leadership of Orkney Islands Council.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, including Orkney Islands Council, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the…

25 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice receiving the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland’s report on undercover policing report on 2 November 2017, for what reason it has not yet been published, and when it will be laid before the Parliament.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13843 on 26 January 2018. 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/parliamentarybusiness…

22 Jan 2018 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure everyone in police custody can exercise their right to legal advice from 25 January 2018.

16 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides on the standard of comfort and dignity that patients transferring to and from hospital appointments can expect.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Governments Charter of Patient's Rights and Responsibilities sets out what can be expected from patient's accessing NHS services, including patient transport. The Charter states that, when using NHS services and receiving NHS care, patients can …