Parliamentary questions
John Finnie
1,255 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
15 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26103 by Ash Denham on 14 November 2019, should a person claims that they have been denied access to a duty solicitor, whether it will confirm what avenues of redress are available to them.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: If an individual has concerns about the actions of an officer or their treatment in police custody then this should be raised with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 stipulates that the Chief Constable of Sc…
15 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the operational carbon footprint is of (a) Pentland Ferries and (b) Western Ferries.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: As these are private commercial ferry operators, the Scottish Government does not hold information regarding the operational carbon footprint of Pentland Ferries or Western Ferries.
15 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress CalMac is making with the delivery of action-led biodiversity plans at half of its operational sites by 2020.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: All sites controlled by CalMac Ferries Ltd across the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service network have delivered actions from the biodiversity plan, primarily focussing on litter prevention and clean up, control of non-native invasive species and raising biodive…
15 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much carbon has been emitted by (a) ports and (b) the shipping industry in each year since 2014.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Carbon Account for Transport provides a detailed analysis of annual transport emissions data for Scotland, including emissions by vehicle type which lists Shipping. The latest edition of the Carbon Account, covering the period from 1990-2017, is available…
15 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by (a) CalMac, (b) Serco NorthLink, (c) Orkneyand (d) Shetland Island Ferries in (i) reducing its operational carbon footprint, (ii) reducing its operational consumption of water and (iii) increasing its recycling rates.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: CalMac Ferries Ltd have reduced their operational carbon footprint by 6.4% based on the 2015/2016 baseline, and state they are on course to meet their 7.5% reduction target by March 2020. During the 2018/19 contract year, CalMac has reduced its operational c…
12 Nov 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S5W-25533 and S5W-25837 by Aileen Campbell on 8 October and 12 November 2019 respectively, in light of the cabinet secretary's confirmation that "a number of organisations" made informal requests for it to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, whe…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: A number of organisations highlighted the value of the IHRA definition in helping to tackle anti-Semitism, including the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities and Community Security Trust.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who is immediately responsible for ensuring that people taken into police custody have access to a duty solicitor.
Answer · Ash Denham: The immediate responsibility for ensuring that people taken into police custody have access to a solicitor is the responsibility of Police Scotland custody staff at the custody suite the individual is taken to.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place in each island local authority area to ensure that people taken into police custody have access to a duty solicitor.
Answer · Ash Denham: The Solicitor Contact Line provides telephone advice to people in Police Stations across Scotland, and also arranges for local duty solicitors to attend the police station.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which minister is responsible for ensuring that people taken into police custody have access to a duty solicitor.
Answer · Ash Denham: Minister for Community Safety is responsible for provision of duty solicitors.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been made in each of the last five years regarding people being taken into police custody not having access to a duty solicitor, also broken down by how many were upheld.
Answer · Ash Denham: These statistics are not readily available. Police Scotland keep statistics concerning ‘Irregularity in Procedure’ and to answer this specific question would require a manual search of the records.
30 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what avenues of redress there are for people taken into police custody who have been denied access to a duty solicitor.
Answer · Ash Denham: All persons taken into police custody have the right to consult with a solicitor at any time while in police custody. No-one is denied access to a solicitor.
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25436 by Derek Mackay on 1 October 2019 regarding whether it plans to assess the impact on its reputation of its association with Serco, whether it will answer the question that was asked and provide the information requested.
Answer · Derek Mackay: As outlined in the answer to question S5W-25436, the nature of associations with Serco through contractual relationships are considered on a case by case basis, by applying criteria which are set out in public procurement legislation. All decisions and criter…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25449 by Michael Matheson on 1 October 2019 regarding whether it will publish a risk assessment of the effects of not providing a refreshment trolley on the West Highland, Highland main, Kyle of Lochalsh and Far North lines, whether it will answer t…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The ScotRail franchise agreement contains a number of obligations placed in terms of delivery and enhancement of catering services. Responsibility for the delivery of these, including any relevant risk assessments, lies with the franchisee not the Scottish Go…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what annual emission reduction target it has set for Northern Isles Ferry Services during the 2019-27 contract period.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Section 16 of Volume 2 of the Invitation to Tender, published on Transport Scotland's website, set out requirements for Environmental Management, including arrangements for minimising the generation of greenhouse gases and carbon release. The operator is al…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to replace any of the vessels in the NorthLink (a) passenger and (b) freight fleet during the 2019-27 contract period.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government invested significant capital in financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19 to secure the three passenger/vehicle vessels and the two freight vessels that currently serve the Northern Isles routes. This investment ensures that all five vessels…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether left luggage facilities are covered in the ScotRail franchise.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Left luggage facilities at stations are not covered in the ScotRail Franchise Agreement.
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement of the contract award to Serco NorthLink, when the new Green Travel campaign aimed at customers and employees on Northern Isles Ferry Services' vessels and ports will be launched, and what consultation it expects Serco NorthLink to have with (a) passenger gr…
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Serco Ltd are the preferred bidder for the next Northern Isles ferry services contract. The current contract has been extended to 31 January 2020. The Green Travel campaign will be launched during the next contract set to commence on 1 February 2020. The oper…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25484 by James Wolffe QC on 8 October 2019, and in light of the decision to trial a 50mph speed limit for HGVs on the A9, how it is able to make informed decisions regarding limits for HGVs.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has no plans to further increase the speed limits for HGV’s in Scotland at this time. However, we are awaiting the Department for Transport publishing the full 3 year report into the evaluation of the HGV speed limit increase in Englan…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data it has received on the numbers of over- and under-sized wrasse returned since May 2018, as per the requirement in paragraph 3.2 of Marine Scotland’s voluntary control measures for the live capture of Scottish wild wrasse for salmon farms.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Paragraph 3.2 of the voluntary control measures for the live capture of Scottish wild wrasse for salmon farms relates to information and data gathering. It highlights that fishers are required to supply numbers of under and over-sized fish by species, for the…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to dual the (a) A9 and (b) A96; when this will be completed, and what the benefit/cost ratio will be.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government intends to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025. Design work is progressing well with the statutory process underway for eight of the remaining nine schemes. We are currently on track to deliver the dualling programme within…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Ferguson Marine Engineering being taken into public ownership, what role the Scottish Government can play in developing low-emission passenger and freight ferries for the (a) Scottish and (b) international market.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has always been clear that our immediate priorities remain the completion of the MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802 and securing a future for Ferguson Marine and its workforce. We continue to be committed to finding a solution to support futu…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25533 by Aileen Campbell on 8 October 2019, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding which bodies requested it to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: There were no formal requests to adopt the definition.
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any requests from Serco Caledonian Sleeper for indemnification relating to industrial action by the RMT trade union in 2019 and, if so, whether it will provide details of any such claims.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has not received a financial claim from Caledonian Sleeper relating to industrial action by the RMT union in 2019.
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to develop a carbon reduction strategy.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As set out in the Government’s answer to question S5O-03467, the actions we are taking to address climate change are set out in our Climate Change Plan, published in February 2018. The Plan explains our policies and proposals for meeting the annual carbon re…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding low-emission shipping since the decision to take Ferguson Marine Engineering into public ownership.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has not held discussions with the UK Government regarding low-emission shipping since the decision to take Ferguson Marine Engineering into public ownership.
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research has been undertaken by, or on behalf of, Marine Scotland since May 2018 to identify spawning areas and breeding times for wild wrasse to ensure the protection of caught species during peak breeding activity, in accordance with paragraph 8.2 of Marine Scotland’s voluntary co…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Research proposals are currently being considered with various partners to explore aspects of wrasse biology, including spawning.
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25522 by Michael Matheson on 11 October 2019, whether it will provide a breakdown of what the timetable adjustments could be, and how many times it would be possible to run 28 container-length trains on (a) weekdays, (b) Saturdays and (c) Sundays.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is unable to provide a breakdown of the timetable adjustments without first having a detailed timetable study undertaken. Transport Scotland is confident that the current infrastructure can support the operation of up to three 28-container…
14 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25532 by Aileen Campbell on 8 October 2019, who the (a) Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Group and (b) other relevant, key stakeholders are.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Group includes representation from:Black and Ethnic Minorities Infrastructure in Scotland (BEMIS)The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)Police ScotlandRespect meEquality NetworkCrow…
30 Sep 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to ensure that shrievel requests for psychiatric reports are met in a timely manner.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: In March this year, the Minister for Mental Health announced an independent review into the delivery of forensic mental health services in Scotland. The review which includes consideration of the provision of professional and expert witness psychiatric and p…
26 Sep 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25296 by Aileen Campbell on 26 September 2019, who will participate in the review of the Action Plan, and what criteria will be used to gauge the impact of its adoption of this definition of antisemitism.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Tacking Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Plan will be reviewed in consultation with the Tacking Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Group and other relevant, key stakeholders. The scope of the review will be determined b…