Parliamentary questions

Maurice Golden

1,697 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many incinerators have combined heat and power solutions included in their planning approval; where these are located, and how much energy they have produced each year.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The information requested is not held centrally.

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the tonnage capacity for incinerators has been in each year since 2007, and what the projected annual capacity is for the period to 2024.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The following table shows the permitted incineration capacity, which is higher than the actual throughput, for each year since 2007. The total waste incineration capacity includes waste incineration facilities for clinical, municipal, biomass (e.g. wood waste…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent information it has regarding the percentage of (a) household and (b) commercial food waste that is (i) landfilled and (ii) incinerated, and what capacity there is for all waste to be recovered.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The exact percentages requested are not available. Our Food Waste Reduction Action Plan sets out measures that will drive delivery against our target to reduce food waste by 33% by 2025. The 2013 baseline for this target is estimated to be 987,890 tonnes fro…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether payment of the national living wage will be a requirement of all Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator applicants.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Any scheme administrator(s) of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be required to comply with all relevant legal obligations, including in relation to pay and employment rights. Through our flagship Fair Work First policy, we are asking employers to go beyo…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator will be required to support better accessibility of collection points in economically deprived areas.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As set out in the application form for a prospective scheme administrator(s) of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) (p15), published on 22 June 2020, to be approved an applicant must demonstrate how they will meet the collection targets set out in the DRS …

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what extra weighting it will grant to Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator applicants that commit to measures that aim to ensure fairness between SMEs and larger businesses across the retail and production sectors.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As set out in the application form for a prospective scheme administrator(s) of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (p14), published on 22 June 2020, we would expect an applicant to demonstrate how they intend to take into account the needs of all market partici…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what extra weighting it will grant to Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator applicants that demonstrate an ability to deliver identified environmental, economic and social benefits that go beyond regulations.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: To be approved by Scottish Ministers, any prospective scheme administrator(s) for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme must demonstrate how they intend to comply with member producers’ obligations on their behalf and that they are likely to subsist for at least f…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator will be permitted to deliver identified environmental, economic and social benefits that fall outwith the scope of DRS regulations.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The application form for a prospective scheme administrator(s) of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, published on 22 June 2020, provides an opportunity for an applicant to demonstrate how they will deliver wider benefits through the operation of the scheme, al…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31163 by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 August 2020, whether decisions regarding deposit claim mechanisms, including digital solutions, will be a matter for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The response to question S5W-31163 made clear that we have no current plans to put in place a solution for returning containers via a smartphone or app as part of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. It would, however, be open to any scheme administrator(s) and/…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will expect the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Administrator to declare the annual carbon impact of operating the scheme, broken down by material type.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Any scheme administrator(s) of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will be required to share information relating to performance against the scheme targets for collection of packaging regularly with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). We wil…

31 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what targeted financial support it will provide to support cleaning, maintenance and other supply chain businesses that have been impacted by the continued closure of non-essential offices.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has provided £2.3 billion in packages to support businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside the UK Government support to furloughed staff via the Job Retention Scheme. This includes the Coronavirus Business Support fund which …

31 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31256 by Ivan McKee on 28 August 2020, how many business pillar meetings (a) it and (b) its agencies' officials had in 2019-20 with stakeholders in each of the 15 priority markets outlined in A Trading National.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Scottish Government business pillar engagements are led by Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation. The Minister’s T&I Overseas Visits focus on the 15 priority markets, as outlined in A Trading Nation ; Scottish Government’s plan for imp…

31 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31262 by Kate Forbes on 27 August 2020, what plans it has to replicate the internet of things support programme to aid future market opportunities for private business.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We are currently assessing the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) Support Programme and are following the development and implementation of the five demonstrator projects. Through 14 thematic workshops, held around Scotland, the programme engaged with a t…

31 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31262 by Kate Forbes on 27 August 2020, whether it will provide a breakdown of which market-led service offerings the internet of things support programme has helped deliver, and what the current status is of each.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Internet of Things (IoT) Support Programme was designed to create use case demonstrator projects from a series of 14 thematic workshops, facilitated by CENSIS. The following five demonstrators are all in active development with a mix of partners from priv…

28 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27645 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 6 March 2020, whether it still plans the head office of Social Security Scotland to be in Dundee.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Headquarters of Social Security Scotland is currently situated in Dundee, and will remain so.

28 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27645 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 6 March 2020, when it expects to be able to provide an update on the installation of Social Security Scotland into its new head office in Dundee.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: It is not appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on the status of an on-going commercial matter. An update will be provided when negotiations and commercial matters are finalised in relation to any new office accommodation for Social Security Scot…

26 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £97 million of consequentials from the UK Government's culture and heritage support package has been spent in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Following my announcement on 28 August of a new £59 million package of support for the culture and heritage sectors in Scotland, the total announcements arising from the £97 million consequentials is now £81.47 million. A breakdown of this funding is as foll…

25 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31253 by Fiona Hyslop on 25 August 2020, whether it is currently assessing any potential interventions in privately owned businesses and, if so, how many.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Further to the answer to question S5W-31253 on 25 August 2020, the Scottish Government is not currently assessing whether to take new ownership stakes in any privately owned businesses. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parl…

25 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest GERS figures.

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation was conducted with assistive technology companies and others in the equipment supply chain prior to publication of its Framework for supporting people through Recovery and Rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We have published the list of organisations who informed the consultation and this can be found in the Framework for supporting people through Recovery and Rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic, which is available to read on the Scottish Gover…

20 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether funding will be made available for pop-up PPE bins.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There would only be a need for pop-up or separate PPE bins if this type of waste needed to be segregated, which is not generally necessary. The face coverings or gloves worn by members of the public can safely be disposed of in the general waste bin. There ar…

20 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of single-use PPE (a) becoming litter and (b) contaminating public litter bins in light of it being classified as hazardous waste.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We are aware of the increased concerns about single-use face coverings and glove littering. Littering of any kind is a criminal offence and completely unacceptable. Face coverings and gloves used by the general public are not classified as hazardous waste. D…

20 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether specific COVID-19 guidance for home educators will be published.

Answer · John Swinney: As announced on 20 August, indoor activities for children and young people (unregulated) can begin from Monday, 31 August, subject to adhering to the guidance for these activities. This guidance, for activities that are voluntary, third sector, parent or peer…

18 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the physical and mental health impact of closing fitness facilities and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.