John Finnie

18 Dec 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, when its agencies encourage tourism in the Highlands and Islands, whether they do so following an assessment of the adequacy of basic tourist infrastructure; if they do, whether they publish such assessments, and, if they do not, (a) for what reasons and (b) whether they will set out wh…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland, the national tourism agency, works closely with industry and local authorities to help ensure local tourism infrastructure is sufficient to meet visitor demand. Its marketing campaigns are ordinarily run in Spring and Autumn to encourage more v…

23 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much public money has been spent in each of the last five years on (a) new deer fencing, (b) repairing existing deer fencing and (c) deer management for woodland establishment at current deer densities.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The total public spend on fencing and deer management for each of the last five years is presented in the following table.  Financial Year   2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 Total New Deer Fencing £876,265 £2,175,413 £4,267,624 £5,878,802 …

23 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to define sustainable deer management to promote the delivery of sustainable forest management across Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The code of practice on deer management (drawn up under section 5A of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996) defines sustainable deer management as managing deer to achieve the best combination of benefits for the economy, environment, people and communities for now a…

23 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the duty to promote sustainable forest management is being applied in Scotland in relation to sustainable deer management.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 places a duty on Scottish Ministers (and Scottish public authorities so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of their functions) to promote sustainable forest management and Scottish Ministers are …

11 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that the UK Government’s economic policies in response to COVID-19 have had on (a) the RPI inflation rate and (b) pay settlements for workers in Scotland in each month between March and October 2020.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government routinely publishes analysis of changes in UK inflation (CPIH) and earnings in Scotland in its Monthly Economic Brief. The latest version of the brief is available at this link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/monthly-economic-brief…

11 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd on measures to track and trace (a) passengers and (b) employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Transport Scotland is in regular dialogue with CalMac Ferries Ltd on a range of issues including Covid-19 procedures. CalMac follows both NHS advice and Scottish Government guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus for both their staff and passenge…

11 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has provided to (a) CalMac Ferries Ltd and (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what impact this has had on the current contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd have received no additional funding from the Scottish Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have not requested any additional funding. The Scottish Government has provided CalMac Ferries Ltd with additional fundin…

11 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the final business case published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular railway has a large number of tables and other information redacted.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The preparation and publication of the final business case for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular is the responsibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to respond to you directly.

11 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no analysis of the impact on other ski centres in the final business case published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular railway.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The preparation and publication of the final business case for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular is the responsibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to respond to you directly.

11 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the final business case published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular railway does not explain the need for annual subsidies for the new operating company.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The preparation and publication of the final business case for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular is the responsibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to respond to you directly.

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the review of fair trade in Scotland, the report on which was published on 24 February 2020.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The achievement of Fair Trade Nation status for Scotland, first in February 2013 and once more in March 2017, signals to the world that Scotland takes an active leadership role in challenging global poverty and recognising the dignity and rights of producers,…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the damage to the seabed resulting from mobile scallop catching equipment.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scotland currently contributes to assessments for both OSPAR and as part of the UK Marine Assessment on the extent of physical damage to predominant seafloor habitats. These assessments include a component relating to scallop dredging for all vessels over 12m…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with established licenced scallop diving operators regarding enforcement against unlicensed operators.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Scotland does not routinely engage with fishermen regarding the illegal activity of other potentially unlicensed fishermen. However, if licensed fishermen were to approach Marine Scotland with any information with regard to the unlicensed operations o…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of scallops are collected by non-registered operators, and how this figure is calculated.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Scotland does not hold data on non-registered operators. Restrictions are however in place to limit the amount of shellfish that can be taken by non-registered operators not in possession of a commercial fishing licence. These operators are not requir…

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring of unlicensed scallop diving Marine Scotland undertakes directly.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Commercial scallop diving requires a fishing licence. Unlicensed fishing activity regularly features in the priorities and tasking of Marine Scotland Compliance vessels and officers. However, recreational scallop diving without a licence is allowed, subject …

3 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04661 by Mairi Gougeon on 7 October 2020 (Official Report, c. 6), what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding assisting and promoting the transport of perishable goods by Rail Freight to the continental market.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has discussed the promotion of rail freight with the UK Government, including arrangements for the continuation of channel tunnel freight trains after Brexit, and the importance of electrification of rail links to ports in England to f…

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question to S5W-32158 by Roseanna Cunningham on 30 October 2020, which new protection measures do not require additional resources, and to what extent it considers that maritime protection, prior to the creation of a new protected area, exceeded the evidenced ne…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: All competent authorities which manage activities that occur within marine protected areas are required to take into account the conservation objectives of the site and management advice provided by JNCC. The level of resources needed for protection measures …

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32621 by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020, who monitors compliance with the requirement for maintained white lining on a trunk road roundabout, and how often this compliance has not been met in each of the last four years.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Performance Audit Group (PAG) monitors compliance of both the technical and performance aspects of our Operating Companies, including compliance monitoring of road marking throughout the Trunk Road network, including roundabouts. Whilst the Operating Comp…

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, when considering trunk road maintenance contracts, how it ensures that public safety will never be compromised by the companies who have fiduciary duty to maximise profit for their shareholders.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A well-maintained and well-managed trunk road network is vital to Scotland, as it supports economic growth and connects communities, regions and nations. Transport Scotland is responsible for the operation, maintenance and management of the motorways and trun…

30 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32621 by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020, whether it will provide the information requested regarding under what category the requirement for maintained white lining on a trunk road roundabout falls.

Answer · Michael Matheson: During road marking inspections, all observed defects that provide any foreseeable degree of risk to users will be recorded and risk assessed. A number of factors are taken into account when determining the defect category of road markings at roundabouts, inc…

29 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of (a) weekday and (b) weekend passengers has been on Serco Caledonian Sleeper services since 23 March 2020, and how this compares with pre-COVID-19 levels, expressed as a percentage.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) produces passenger rail usage figures for all Train Operating Companies. All figures can be obtained from the ORR’s website, noting that for the most recent passenger rail usage data set (October 2020) Caledonian Sleeper was …

29 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Serco Caledonian Sleeper regarding the proposal by the RMT to temporarily make an additional two berths available for staff rest periods, with the aim of reducing staff fatigue, and, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, for this arrangement to…

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland has discussed this issue with both Caledonian Sleeper and the RMT. This remains an operational matter and Transport Scotland continues to encourage meaningful dialogue between both parties to find a reasonable solution to this dispute.

16 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32080 by Michael Matheson on 9 October 2020, under what category the requirement for maintained white lining on a trunk road roundabout falls.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Under the terms of our Operating Company maintenance contracts, our Trunk Road Operating Companies are contractually required to visually inspect all road markings every 12 months and undertake night time reflectivity safety inspections every 6 months. Weekly…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the provisions in the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill could impact on the integrity of Scots law and the role of the Lord Advocate.

Answer · James Wolffe QC: The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill seeks to amend both the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 ( RIPA) and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (RIP(S)A), to introduce a Criminal Conduct Authorisation u…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not ask the Pitchford Inquiry to extend its remit to cover any reported illegal activities in Scotland of police officers from the rest of the UK, and whether it would have taken a different approach if the provisions set out in the Covert Human Intelligence Source…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government pressed the UK Government to extend the Undercover Policing Inquiry for England and Wales (the Pitchford Inquiry) to cover English and Welsh police activity in Scotland. This was consistently refused by the UK Government .

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to ensure that the security services do not commit crimes in Scotland, including through third parties.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Ministerial oversight of the activities of the Security Service is reserved to the UK Government . The Investigatory Powers Commissioner is statutorily responsible for providing independent oversight and authorisation of the use of investigatory powers by in…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to protect the public from organised crime groups, including malevolent state forces, and how it monitors the effectiveness of this.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government works with a wide range of partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to implement Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy which aims to reduce the harm caused by serious organised crime across all of society. Progress in im…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been formally consulted by the UK Government regarding the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill and, if so, whether it will publish (a) its response and (b) details of any other correspondence or discussions it has had with the UK ministers regarding t…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has been in regular dialogue with the UK Government as the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill has been developed. I do not intend to publish the correspondence at this time as disclosing it would likely prejudic…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to local authorities regarding taking account of the social cost of carbon when comparing oil to woodchip heating costs.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government guidance to public bodies on their climate change duties has, since 2011, set out that impacts on climate change and sustainability should routinely be part of the decision-making process, and suggests major bodies use carbon impact assess…

30 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects on Scotland’s rural economy and Scottish producers’ ability to export their goods of the proposed Kent Access Permit scheme.