John Finnie

18 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether planning authorities should carry out the equivalent of habitats regulation assessments in cases in which there are concerns that proposed developments might adversely affect Ramsar sites.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: It is Scottish Government policy to apply the same level of protection for Ramsar sites as is applied for Special Protection Areas classified under the EU Birds Directive. This policy commitment to Ramsar sites is set out on the Scottish Government’s web site…

18 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria must be met before planning authorities should consider granting planning consent for projects that might affect Ramsar sites.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-17306 on 11 July 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/2…

18 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance Scottish Natural Heritage provides to planning authorities regarding the process that they should follow when considering planning applications for projects in which there are concerns that the proposals might adversely affect (a) Natura sites, (b) Ramsar sites and (c) site…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) provides a range of guidance documents regarding the handling of plans or projects which might affect protected areas in Scotland. This material is provided on SNH’s website ( www.nature.scot ).

14 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings Transport Scotland has had with representatives from (a) Western Ferries and (b) Pentland Ferries in each year since 2011.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland officials have had a number of meetings with representatives of both Western Ferries and Pentland Ferries since 2011. These have been both formal and informal and covered a variety of different issues. Gordon Ross, Managing Director of Wes…

14 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on (a) vessel and (b) passenger facilities at (i) St Margaret’s Hope and (ii) Gills Bay in each year since 2006.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has made no investments at St Margaret’s Hope or Gills Bay in each year since 2006.

14 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much income has been generated from harbour dues at all harbours on (a) subsidised and (b) non-subsidised ferry routes between Scrabster and Stromness in each year since 2006.

Answer · Michael Matheson: CalMac Ferries Ltd have provided the undernoted table detailing harbour dues paid in respect of Scrabster and Stromness between 2006 and 2012. Year Period Harbour Dues 2006 1 April 2006 - 31 March 2007 £1.597m 2007 1 April 2007 - 31 March 2008 £1.719…

11 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how bicycles are conveyed on the Inverness-London Caledonian Sleeper rail service, and how they will be on the refurbished fleet.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The northbound Caledonian Sleeper service to Inverness currently conveys up to six bicycles. Southbound, however, it can convey only three bicycles, to make room for boxes of local seafood. The brand new Caledonian Sleeper trains - to be introduced on the Inv…

5 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason parts of the Appraisal of Options for the Specification of the 2018 Northern Isles Ferry Services Final Report have been redacted and, in light of this, what its position is on how elected representatives and others will be able to effectively scrutinise and advise on its…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The information has been redacted due to commercial sensitivity considerations relating to the operator of the current Public Service contract. This is a standard practice where required when publishing reports containing commercially sensitive information.

1 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the logos of Highlands and Island Enterprise and VisitScotland were used in an advert in the Press and Journal on 1 June 2018, which reportedly supported a commercial venture that is opposed by Scottish Natural Heritage and has been recommended for refusal by Highland Cou…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The use of Non-Departmental Public Body logos in advertisements is not something that would require ministerial sign-off. This is an operational matter for Visit Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. However, in this case I understand that neither bo…

31 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding how the application of the work permit regulations to crew on offshore wind construction might impact on employment opportunities in the offshore wind industry.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We have had no recent discussions with the UK Government on this matter, following its publication of relevant guidance in June 2017. Scottish Ministers have written to the Home Secretary following publication of our further powers paper, Scotland’s Populati…

31 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on employment in the (a) diving, (b) sub-sea survey and (c) shipping sector of Crown Estate Scotland’s plan to lease seabed for offshore wind energy projects.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: In November 2017, Crown Estate Scotland (Interim Management) announced their intention to run a further leasing round for commercial scale offshore wind energy. In accordance with Scotland’s National Marine Plan, the spatial locations for such a round will b…

31 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Crown Estate Scotland and (b) other members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council regarding the sustainable exploitation of offshore wind energy.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Discussions between Marine Scotland officials and Crown Estate Scotland (Interim Management) have taken place and are ongoing on the timescales envisaged for the forthcoming leasing round for commercial scale offshore wind and the sectoral marine planning pro…

29 May 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ensures that the anonymity of rape complainers is protected during and subsequent to trial.

25 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the existing vessel monitoring system is suitable to determine whether fishing vessels are fishing illegally within restricted parts of marine protected areas.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 requires that all fishing vessels that are 12 metres overall length or more are required to have a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) fitted. This allows a vessel to be automatically located and identified by transmitting posi…

25 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many scallop dredging vessels operating in Scotland fish in International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) rectangles that hold marine protected areas.  

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish registered scallop fishing vessels range in size from 10 metres and under, to over 40 metres. All fishing vessels that are 12 metres length overall and above are required by law to have a fully functioning Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) fitted which…

25 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many scallop dredging vessels operating in Scotland are fitted with vessel monitoring systems.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics which can be found at www.gov.scot/publications provide numbers of Scottish registered fishing vessels, by main fishing method (table 2.6). All fishing vessels that are 12 metres length overall and above are required b…

22 May 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has with trade unions, public bodies, social enterprise and business regarding Scotland's immigration needs.

18 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent study conducted by Public Health Wales and Cardiff and Swansea universities, which states that emergency alcohol-related admission to hospital is associated with an increased risk for suicide.

Answer · Maureen Watt: We welcome this report’s contribution to the growing body of evidence on suicide and its prevention. We expect to publish our new Suicide Prevention Action Plan before the summer recess which will call for improved practice based on evidence and data across a…

11 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02937 by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2016, what steps it takes to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies to take the same action.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Prior to declaring any land surplus to requirements, a process is undertaken by officials to determine, among other considerations, whether any planned transport interventions such as road, rail or cycle schemes could be affected. Surplus land owned by publi…

9 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16013 by Derek Mackay on 9 May 2018, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what discussions it has had with the Information Commissioner Scotland regarding the so-called harvesting of personal data, and what informatio…

Answer · Derek Mackay: The ICO Scotland Office have confirmed their stated position in response to the recent events involving data analytics and social media, as referenced in our answer on 9 May (S5W-16013). Data Protection is a reserved matter which is regulated by the Informa…

8 May 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that public bodies respect the rights of Gypsy/Travellers.

7 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to publish a guide to the small landholding legislation.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Work is currently underway to complete final checks to the guide to small landholding legislation. It is our intention to publish that guide shortly.

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the status of phase 2 of Transport Scotland’s Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) programme.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government are currently investigating the most effective way to implement further phases of the BEAR scheme. All funded programmes provided by the Scottish Government must be done in accordance with State aid requirements.

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of confirmation in its press release of 29 March 2018, that “over 70% of the £10.8 million funding in 2018-19 will support the bus industry in Glasgow to prepare for” low emission zones, whether the remaining 30% will be used to support the bus industry in the other priority lo…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The remaining 30% of funding for 2018-19 is likely to go towards supporting the development of the signage and ANPR systems necessary for the introduction and enforcement of Low Emission Zones. We are committed to ensuring that all 4 cities are supported in t…

23 Apr 2018 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that widespread disruption to CalMac services is anticipated until the end of May.

19 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of everyday journeys are made by bike, and whether it considers that it will meet its target of 10% by 2020, which was set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2017-2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: According to the Scottish Household Survey, the percentage of adults who travel to work by bike is 2.6%, which is the most common adult everyday journey. Also, cycling is the main mode of travel for 1.2% of all journeys. Cycling Scotland’s Annual Cycling Rep…

18 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-14851 by Humza Yousaf on 9 March 2018, whether it considers that the devolution of the functions of Network Rail could be achieved before the end of 2018 and, if so, what its position is on whether sufficient time exists to adequately implement such…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-16006 on? 1 May 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/28…

17 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Police Scotland’s Vulnerable Person Database is operating in compliance with data protection law, and, if so, whether it will remain compliant following the forthcoming changes.

Answer · Michael Matheson: As noted in the response to Parliamentary Question? S5W-13355 answered on 10 January 2018 , this is an operational matter for Police Scotland. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for wh…

17 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Information Commissioner Scotland regarding the so-called harvesting of personal data, and what information it has regarding the number of people in Scotland who might have been affected.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Data Protection is a reserved matter which is regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) across the UK and applies to all UK residents. There is a branch office in Scotland who liaise with organisations based in Scotland, and in relation to any …

17 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people in Scotland who are part of the so-called Windrush Generation have been informed that they are (a) at risk of and (b) facing deportation, and what discussions it has had with UK Government regarding this.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has made and is continuing to make inquiries through stakeholders and partner organisations about who may be at risk. At the moment, this has not identified anyone in Scotland who has been affected by this scandal. The available data …