Parliamentary questions
Maurice Golden
1,697 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors, and communicates to stakeholders, public support for the critical minerals sector and related projects, and what steps it has taken to draw attention to the role of critical minerals in achieving Scotland’s net zero goals and a just transition.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Critical minerals are becoming increasingly important for emerging technologies. However, the Scottish Government is not aware of any existing research on public support for critical minerals for communication to stakeholders. I would encourage all business …
10 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement ministers have had with the higher education sector regarding the role that geoscience can play in tackling climate change.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: As an example of recent Ministerial engagement with the higher education sector on climate change, on 8 February the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport met the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre at Heriot-Watt Universi…
10 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of targeting support to encourage people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds to access university programmes related to careers in roles vital to the critical minerals sector.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has no role in directing individuals to a particular university programme. Universities are responsible for their own admissions processes and it is for them to decide how they wish to allocate places to each course. We remain absolut…
10 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether consumers in Scotland will be free to order for delivery Deposit Return Scheme articles requiring no deposit from retailers based outwith Scotland, and, if not, what steps it plans to take to prevent such deliveries.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Deposit Return Scheme regulations apply to all types of drinks sold in Scotland that are packaged in single-use containers made from PET plastic, glass, steel or aluminium, sized between 100ml and 3 litres. This includes online retailers selling products …
6 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16932 by Lorna Slater on 2 May 2023, what measurable impact those efforts have had in increasing textiles reuse.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Zero Waste Scotland is not measuring or assessing textiles reuse systematically at a national level.
5 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17316 by Lorna Slater on 5 May 2023, whether it will provide a list of the sites referred to along with the stage of construction and/or operational progress achieved for each.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Circularity Scotland is a not-for-profit private company established on behalf of the industry to deliver the legal responsibilities of drinks producers under Scotland's deposit return scheme regulation…
5 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16926 by Lorna Slater on 5 May 2023, whether waste packaging collected and recycled through the Deposit Return Scheme will be able to be identified in Scotland's waste statistics.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Annual waste data will be submitted to SEPA who will also undertake verification inspections. It is our intention to ensure that DRS packaging data is identified in our waste data reporting.
3 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) funding and (b) staff resource it has allocated to the Real Nappy Campaign in Scotland in each year since 2007.
Answer · Lorna Slater: This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government is not currently directly involved in the Real Nappy Campaign or any other similar campaign in Scotland. It promotes the use of reusable nappies through Scotland’s Baby Box and its Parentclub …
3 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) funding and (b) staff resource it has allocated to the Compost at Home campaign since 2007.
Answer · Lorna Slater: This information is not held centrally. The Compost at Home campaign ran from 2007 to 2010. It predates the formation of Zero Waste Scotland in 2014, therefore information on funding and staff resource is not available.
3 May 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is, regarding any implications for its Water Safety Action Plan, on future lifeboat provision in Arbroath, in light of reported concerns expressed by the local community about the service.
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many air quality monitors are installed at schools in each local authority area.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In January, it was confirmed by local authorities that all circa 50,000 learning, teaching and play spaces were equipped with a CO2 monitor. The Scottish Government has allocated significant funding of £13.8 million to local authorities in relation to improv…
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16905 by Lorna Slater on 25 April 2023, what the current status is of the (a) Construction Advice and Support Service and (b) Green Islands funding.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Construction Advice and Support Service was funded through ERDF and ended in 2021-22 . The Green Islands Fund was partially funded through ERDF and ended in April 2021.
25 Apr 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is improving data gathering in relation to health outcomes.
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the latest Deposit Return Scheme gateway review will be published.
Answer · Lorna Slater: We are committed to transparency and openness in our administration of the Deposit Return Scheme. The Scottish Government is carefully considering the recommendations from the latest review, and has committed to sharing the recommendations and its response wi…
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Circularity Scotland provided it with a (a) copy of the detailed schedule to collect scheme packing from return point operators and pay them deposits and handling fees by 21 October 2021 or (b) notification that such a schedule could not be provided by the date, and, if so, when …
Answer · Lorna Slater: The detailed schedules to collect scheme products, and pay deposits and handling fees are a matter for Circularity Scotland, the not-for profit scheme administrator, their logistics partner and return point operators. Working with partners we have refreshed …
22 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what updates it has received from Circularity Scotland regarding whether a standardised invoicing system or multiple invoice systems are being developed for the Deposit Return Scheme.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland is developing and constructing its administration system that will support the effective operation of the scheme when it launches on 1 March 2024. As Circularity Scotland is a private company, operational matters are a matter for them and…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it reportedly gave no prior notice to Circularity Scotland of the decision, which was announced to the Parliament on 18 April 2023, to delay the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme until 1 March 2024.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Section 3.5 of the Ministerial code sets out that when Parliament is meeting, Ministers should ensure that important announcements of Government policy are made, in the first instance, to the Parliament.
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it consulted Circularity Scotland on options for delaying the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme beyond 16 August 2023.
Answer · Lorna Slater: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17397 on 9 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/w…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects Circularity Scotland to produce a short-form version of the Deposit Return Scheme Producer Agreement.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland are working on the agreement currently and will update in due course. Producers can contact Circularity Scotland directly for updates.
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the measures announced by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity on 20 April 2023 will be the final set of changes to the scope of the Deposit Return Scheme.
Answer · Lorna Slater: We have no intention to introduce further changes ahead of the launch of the scheme. The Regulations contain provisions that require future review of the scope and operation of the scheme. It should be noted that for the Deposit Return Scheme to proceed the U…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected value is of any advance payments to Circularity Scotland under section 8.5 of the Producer Agreement from registered drinks producers that are currently liable to make such payments between 16 August 2023 and 1 March 2024.
Answer · Lorna Slater: As Circularity Scotland is a private company, support arrangements they have with their members is a matter for them and it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to intervene in such commercial arrangements between private companies. We are gra…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it conducted an analysis of the potential financial impact on (a) registered producers and (b) return point operators before deciding to delay the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme until 1 March 2024.
Answer · Lorna Slater: A) I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17389 on 10 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committe…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-02060 by Màiri McAllan on 23 March 2023, whether any of the investment mentioned will address pharmaceutical contamination.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Investment underpinning Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters Routemap does not specifically target the issue of pharmaceutical pollution. However, in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water is carrying out the Che…
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on paying compensation to any businesses affected by the most recent delay to the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme.
Answer · Lorna Slater: As Circularity Scotland is a private company, any compensation to businesses they have arrangements with is a matter for them and it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to intervene in such commercial arrangements between private companies.
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to registered drinks producers that are liable for advance payments under section 8.5 of the Deposit Return Scheme Producer Agreement.
Answer · Lorna Slater: As Circularity Scotland is a private company, support arrangements they have with their members is a matter for them and it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to intervene in such commercial arrangements between private companies. Only the v…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether registered drinks producers are currently liable to make advance payments to Circularity Scotland under section 8.5 of the Producer Agreement, in light of the Deposit Return Scheme launch being postponed until 1 March 2024.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland advise that only the very largest producers (those making more than 10 million units per year) are required to underwrite costs. As Circularity Scotland is a private company, contractual arrangements they have with their members, includin…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission's Report on the use of handheld remote-controlled training devices (e-collars) in dog training.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government welcomes the recent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) report on handheld remote-controlled training devices (e-collars). We will consider all their findings carefully as part of our ongoing commitment to improve and enhance an…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the recommendation by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission in the Report on the use of handheld remote-controlled training devices (e-collars) in dog training that the use of e-collars for the training of animals should be prohibited in Scotland.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government welcomes the recent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) report on handheld remote-controlled training devices (e-collars). We will consider all their findings carefully as part of our ongoing commitment to improve and enhance an…
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on constructing sorting and bulking centres for the Deposit Return Scheme, and when each facility is projected to be operational.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland is developing and constructing the logistical network that will support the effective operation of the scheme when it launches on 1 March 2024, and it has signed contracts with Biffa for operations, logistics, and plastics reprocessing. I…
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a public awareness campaign will be launched to inform consumers of the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme.
Answer · Lorna Slater: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16755 on 2 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/w…