John Finnie

11 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its responsibility for prioritising rail infrastructure projects, whether it has plans to reinstate double track on the rail line between Inverness and Dalcross.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Planning for rail projects in the next Control Period (CP 6) will follow the new pipeline approach set out in the Rail Enhancements and Capital Investment Strategy, published on 19 March 2018. We have asked Network Rail to explore options for the next stage …

6 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) when Marine Scotland became aware of recent illegal scallop dredging in the protected Firth of Lorn, and for what reason its Marine Protection Vessels did not take action to halt the dredging.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: In terms of alleged illegal activity taking place on the night of the 18th or early morning of the 19th November 2018 Marine Scotland received a report, initially by telephone call, of alleged illegal scallop dredging activity taking place that night. At the …

5 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the system of procurator fiscal warnings is ECHR-compliant.

Answer · James Wolffe QC: The published Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Prosecution Code sets out the criteria for prosecutorial decisions and the range of options available to prosecutors dealing with reports of crime. In many cases, where there is sufficient evidence to …

3 Dec 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of power of attorney in health cases.

30 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what projects have been funded by the "additional £5.35 million of capital funding for Scottish Canals", which was referred to in the Transport Scotland news release dated 23 November 2018.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The additional £5.35m of capital funding which has been made available to Scottish Canals will fund vital asset management work including the replacement of lock gates at Fort Augustus. Other works will include phase one of plans to replace lock gates at Kytr…

29 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a list of all meetings that Ministers have attended since 2013 regarding the operation of the Cairngorm Funicular Railway.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: All Ministerial engagements are proactively published on the Scottish Government website at the following address. https://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=Ministerial engagements&publicationTypes=transparency_data .

29 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the statement by the Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) that “The directors’ decision to put CairnGorm Mountain Ltd (CML) into administration is an outcome that HIE had anticipated,” is indicative of a robust due diligence process, in ligh…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I have asked Charlotte Wright, Chief Executive Highlands and Islands Enterprise to respond. Her response is as follows: “The fact that Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) was able to respond swiftly to the administration of CairnGorm Mountain Ltd is compe…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the comments by Fergus Ewing in the press release from Morrison Media dated 26 November 2018 and titled "Port of Cromarty Firth invests £30 million in a new Energy and Cruise Hub for the Highlands" represent the Scottish Government's position.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Yes.

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to assess the human rights implications of the divergence between the periods when a conviction becomes spent and therefore exempt from disclosure, and the provisions of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, which sanction the indefinite retention of biometric data.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In its response to the report of the Independent Advisory Group on the Use of Biometric Data in Scotland (https://www2.gov.scot/About/Review/biometric-data/sgresponse ), the Scottish Government undertook to review current legislation on the retention of biom…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18605 by Michael Matheson on 12 September 2018, what options are open to address a situation where a port does not keep its own governance under review.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Ports are required by the Port Maritime Safety Code to keep their powers under review. The guidance in Modern Trust Ports for Scotland also encourages ports of all ownership structures to do the same. In the case of a trust port, this will include their const…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding (a) it and (b) each of its agencies has awarded to Marine Harvest for the Kyleakin Feed Plant.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Harvest were awarded funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise for staff training at the Kyleakin feed plant for 30% of their estimated training costs, circa £68,000. They have received a portion of this funding to date. There is no other governme…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the ship-to-ship transfer of oil on the open seas in Scotland’s maritime area.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Ship-to-ship transfer of oil in Scottish Territorial Waters is regulated under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 as amended. The subject matter of this Act is reserved to the UK Government. It is the view of the Scottish Government that licensing of ship-to-ship…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it or its agencies compiled an economic impact assessment regarding the funding associated with the production of feed for the (a) aquaculture industry and (b) Marine Harvest Feed Plant at Kyleakin and, if so, whether it will publish this.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: It is for the planning authority to interpret and implement relevant planning legislation and guidance as it deems appropriate given the circumstances in each case and to ensure that the provisions of the planning system are applied properly. In reaching a d…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who will be responsible for monitoring the use of the £9.75 million funding to the Port of Cromarty Firth from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government, and what criteria will be used to gauge the success of the investment.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Board approved funding which totals £7.75 million. HIE will monitor the use of this funding towards the costs of the development. Success will be the delivery of the investment on time and budget, as well as successful …

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18605 by Michael Matheson on 12 September 2018, in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that "the Scottish Government has no jurisdiction over the management or operation of Scottish ports", for what reason it plans to include ports in the Scott…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The majority of ports across Scotland make a significant contribution to the economy at a local, regional and often national level. The Scottish Maritime Strategy will demonstrate our support for all aspects of the maritime economy, while exploring opportunit…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of all meetings between ministers and the Port of Cromarty Firth regarding the £9.75 million award announced on 26 November 2018.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: There have been no formal meetings between Ministers and the Port of Cromarty Firth regarding the award (totalling £7.75m) announced on 26 November 2018. However, I spoke to Port of Cromarty Forth representatives informally at an Inverness Scottish Council f…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Traffic Scotland website trafficscotland.org/carboncalculator does not include an option to calculate journeys undertaken by air.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Traffic Scotland Carbon Calculator provides an indicative comparison of how much less carbon might be used for land based alternatives to the car for journeys between selected mainland Scottish towns, the aim being to demonstrate that there is a carbon be…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on public transport providers producing information on their tickets that gives the traveller details of their particular journey’s CO2 emissions per kilometre compared with other modes of transport, as is the case in other countries, including Italy and France, and …

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish government is committed to reducing CO2 from transport, as witnessed by the activities set out in the Climate Change plan and our ambitious PfG commitment to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars by 2032. Given the wide diversity in h…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which emergency service is responsible for the uplifting of human remains and body parts at the scene of a road traffic collision.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Police Service of Scotland has a duty to attend and investigate road traffic collisions. It is therefore their responsibility for the removal of human remains from the scene of a fatal road traffic collision. All investigations of this type are carried out …

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19717 by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018, whether there are any recorded instances of public authorities putting priority marine features within marine protection areas at significant risk through their decision-making, broken down by (a) authorit…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: No instances have been reported to the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, or the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19717 by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018, whether there are any Priority Marine Features that have yet to be assessed through the Scottish Government monitoring strategy.    

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Priority Marine Feature list covers a broad range of habitats and species which have variable distribution in Scotland’s seas. Some are already subject to assessment: • Eleven habitats had assessments published this year as part of a scoping consultation…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19717 by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018, how often the condition of each Priority Marine Feature is assessed through the Scottish Government monitoring strategy.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Priority Marine Feature list covers a broad range of habitats and species which have variable distribution in Scotland’s seas. Some are already subject to assessment: • Eleven habitats had assessments published this year as part of a scoping consultation…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19717 by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018, by what date it will have collected sufficient data to assess the effectiveness of protection given to priority marine features.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Priority Marine Feature list covers a broad range of habitats and species which have variable distribution in Scotland’s seas, and are therefore monitored at different scales and frequency. Most are already subject to some form of status assessment. Howev…

27 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19717 by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018, whether there are any recorded instances of public authorities failing in their obligations to comply with the policies in the National Marine Plan, broken down by (a) authority, (b) date and (c) incident.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Public authorities are not obliged to record and report how they take in to account the National Marine Plan in decision making. However, during the first review of National Marine Plan, published in 2018, Scottish Ministers’ considered how well the Plan is b…

27 Nov 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and what was discussed.

19 Nov 2018 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the mechanical harvesting of kelp by dredging.  

5 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19115 by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2018, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding the discussions it has had with the committee regarding the role of public transport in helping it meet its climate change targets, an…

Answer · Michael Matheson: As set out in the answer to S5W-19115, the Scottish Government engages fully with the UK Committee on Climate Change to support its independent advisory role. Scottish Government officials engage with the Committee secretariat to ensure it has access to the b…

1 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for establishing the effectiveness of the protection given to priority marine features.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Priority Marine Features are given general protection by the National Marine Plan, and Public Authorities are obligated to comply with these policies. Priority Marine Features are also protected features in some Marine Protected Areas, and there are specific …

1 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the findings of its ongoing review of the marine and fisheries fleet that have resulted in any operational changes in the last three years.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-19718 answered on 7 November 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/parliament…

1 Nov 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who it consults as part of its ongoing review of its marine and fisheries protection fleet.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As I said in my reply to the member in the Chamber on 1 November 2018, I am keeping the situation under constant review. This does not mean that a one off review exercise is being undertaken to establish a position at a single point in time. Rather, through …