Maurice Golden

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what academic and private sector partners it has identified to help it develop initial service offerings on the so-called Internet of Things.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government has supported the delivery of two Internet of Things (IoT) networks in collaboration with a number of academic and private sector partners. IoT Scotland is a three-year collaborative project in which the Scottish Government is investi…

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what sectors it has identified as targets for the development of service offerings on the so-called Internet of Things, and whether these will be publicly- or privately-operated.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) service offerings will be market driven, however to encourage their delivery, the Scottish Government invested over £269,000 in the IoT Support Programme which operated from March 2019 to March 2020. The programme was …

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin work developing a strategy to encourage investment in Scottish data-hosting facilities, and what timeframe it will set for its completion.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We can confirm that work with Scottish Futures Trust on developing the strategy with the datacentre and international connectivity industry has started. It is currently expected that the strategy will be published by the end of this year.

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, as set out in its Economic Recovery Implementation Plan, whether it will set a target for a proportion of the increase in private sector representation on agency and public boards to feature small and micro business representation.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We are working through how best to achieve the aim of greater private sector representation on agency and public boards including consideration of an inclusive approach encompassing businesses of all sizes.  

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how small and micro business representation will be included in plans to invite business leaders to engage with senior officials as set out in its Economic Recovery Implementation Plan, and what proportion of overall engagement has been targeted for those sectors.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We are working collaboratively with business organisations on implementation and will publish details shortly.  

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will identify business leaders to engage with its officials on providing both challenge and support for policy development as set out in its Economic Recovery Implementation Plan.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We are working collaboratively with business organisations on implementation and will publish details shortly. We recognise that our economic recovery needs to be a national endeavour. We want to take on board new ideas for sector-led recovery and to create a…

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific steps it will take as part of its Economic Recovery Implementation Plan to strengthen Scotland’s brand value across the UK internal market to support both inward investment and exports to the rest of the UK.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Brand Scotland collaboration supports the Scottish Government and key partners in presenting Scotland as the best place to live/work, study, visit and do business. The collaboration builds Scotland’s brand value by promoting our strengths with a clear, co…

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to second business leaders or delegate officials to manage potential ownership stakes in private businesses.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As outlined in the Scottish Government’s Economic Recovery Implementation Plan, a report and recommendations on the management of ownership stakes in private businesses will be put to Ministers in the autumn. This will include a recommendation on the optimum …

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what independent expert advice it has identified as being necessary to include in its forthcoming working group to assess the capability to manage ownership stakes in private companies.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government will be drawing on corporate finance, governance, economic and business expertise in helping to shape our thinking on our approach to managing ownership stakes in private companies.

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it has established for determining whether to take ownership stakes in private businesses.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Decisions on whether to take ownership stakes in private businesses are taken on a case by case basis.

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish National Investment Bank will (a) open and (b) be ready to make investments.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We are on track to establish the Scottish National Investment Bank later this year. We will capitalise the Bank with £2 billion over ten years, with a primary mission to support the transition to net zero carbon emissions. Work is underway to identify and dev…

11 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with other devolved UK administrations regarding public-facing digital technology for returning containers via a smart phone or app, as part of a deposit return scheme for Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government officials engage frequently with representatives of other UK administrations regarding the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). We have no current plans to put in place a solution for returning containers via a smartphone or app as part of Scotlan…

23 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to regulate (a) dog and (b) other pet grooming services.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: There are no plans at present to bring forward legislation to regulate dog and other pet grooming services in Scotland. It is anticipated however that pet grooming and indeed other activities involving animals will be areas that the Scottish Animal Welfare Co…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide details on how arts and culture in Scotland will be supported by the £97 million of extra funding announced by the UK Government.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30635 on 26 July 2020. 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/…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what resources will be made available for community theatre to support restarting productions and ensure long-term viability for community groups and venues.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Our community theatres and performing arts venues and organisations, their staff and the talented freelancers and volunteers who work with them are an essential part of the fabric of Scotland’s culture and communities and we are determined that they will surv…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the national planning practice guidance on the siting and design of reverse vending machines.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We intend to bring forward legislation later this year to help streamline the planning process for the installation of reverse vending machines used to collect material under Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. We will consider the need for any guidance in rela…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the plastic collected for recycling is subsequently recycled in Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Of the 75,361 tonnes of Scottish plastic waste that was recycled in Scotland or sent for recycling outside Scotland in 2018, 2% was recycled in Scotland. This figure includes plastic that was collected for recycling and plastic that was originally collected a…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how national planning practice guidance will ensure that only reverse vending machines that comply with section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requirement to promote high-value recycling will be given planning permission.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Enforcement of section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). We are working with SEPA to consider what guidance can be provided to retailers and other obligated businesses to help ensure…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on household recycling rates across the country.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: It is too early to determine the full impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on household recycling rates. We are however, extremely grateful to those who have worked hard in difficult circumstances to keep essential waste service going in communities across…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on recycling rates for glass across the country.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The tonnage of glass waste from households is included in the household waste statistics, and glass waste from all sources, including household waste, is reported in the statistics on waste from all sources. While it is too early to determine the full impact …

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the levels of litter on streets across the country.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government-led Waste and Resources Sector Forum, which includes local authority representatives, monitors the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the delivery of waste services across Scotland. The Forum has indicated that levels of litter have increas…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the national planning guidance on reverse vending machines will state that glass must not be crushed.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, businesses handling returned scheme packaging will have an obligation to take all reasonable steps to ensure it is managed in a manner that promotes high-quality recycling. The associated code of prac…

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the National Records of Scotland will re-open its buildings, and which phase of lockdown restrictions is applicable to it.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: National Records of Scotland (NRS) has continued to operate a small number of business critical services from their buildings and remotely during lockdown. Additional services have been made available through the early stages of the Scottish Government (SG) r…

30 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what public funds were involved in the construction of Maxim Business Park (Eurocentral) in Motherwell, and whether it or any of its agencies has a stake in the facility's ownership.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: No public funds were involved in the construction of Maxim Business Park. The Scottish Government and our agencies have no stake in the facility's ownership.

30 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it or any of its agencies have offered any financial, tax or other assistance to encourage or facilitate the decision by Aviva to move its operations to Maxim Business Park (Eurocentral) in Motherwell.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government and our agencies had no involvement in Aviva's decision. Since the decision was announced, Scottish Enterprise has offered engagement to provide advice on fair work practices and flexible working arrangements in order that employees a…

26 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many unsuccessful applications for COVID-19 business support grants have been reassessed in each local authority area; how many have been awarded funding as a result, and what the total value of that funding has been.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Small Business Support Grants and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants are administered and awarded by Local Authorities. The Scottish Government collects data on a weekly basis pertaining to the total number of business support grant applications made …

26 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason churches will not be allowed to gather until 23 July 2020.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: We know that it has been very difficult for our faith communities to be unable to come together in their places of worship, including churches. This was of course necessary due to the pandemic and I appreciate the understanding and patience our faith communit…

25 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects amusement arcades to be allowed to open and trade from 15 July 2020.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Amusement arcades will not be able to open on 15 July along with other parts of the tourism and hospitality industry. The reopening of amusement arcades will be considered with other indoor entertainment venues for later in Phase 3. The Scottish Government re…

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Part 2 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019 will come into force.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The changes to basic disclosure under Part 2 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019 Act ("the 2019 Act") require operational changes to the system of disclosure certificates issued by Disclosure Scotland. Disclosure Scotland activated their busin…

11 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for further talks between it, the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, following the meeting on 26 May 2020.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Following the meeting on 26 May 2020 between Scottish Enterprise (SE), the Scottish Government and the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), Scottish Enterprise wrote to the NTS on 27 May suggesting that it produce a turnaround plan outlining its strategy for re…