Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider seeking to amend the conditions for future renewables leasing rounds, including subsequent ScotWind leasing rounds, regarding human rights obligations, in line with the conditions set for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) project bidders.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27757 on? 7 June 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider seeking to amend section 9 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 to require Crown Estate Scotland to take into account social and environmental wellbeing activities outside Scotland for the purposes of meeting the sustainable procurement duty.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27760 on? 7 June 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider seeking to amend section 7 of the Crown Estate Scotland Act 2019 to require Crown Estate Scotland to take into account social and environmental wellbeing activities outside Scotland for procurement and leasing purposes.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Section 7 of the Scottish Crown Estate Act 2019 requires management of Crown Estate Scotland assets to be undertaken in a manner that is likely to contribute to the promotion or the improvement of social and environmental wellbeing in Scotland. Section 9 of …
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any companies involved in human rights abuses, or their subsidiaries, will be eligible to participate in future renewables leasing rounds, including subsequent ScotWind leasing rounds.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27757 on? 7 June 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
21 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any companies involved in ecologically damaging developments in other countries, or their subsidiaries, will be eligible to participate in future renewables leasing rounds, including subsequent ScotWind leasing rounds.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27757 on? 7 June 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
20 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered expanding the number of salmon rivers that are classified as category 3, in light of the record low salmon catch recorded in the Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics for 2023.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scotland has a regime of statutory salmon conservation orders in place which are refreshed annually. Salmon caught in rivers in poor conservation status, classified as category 3, are not allowed to be retained, thus ensuring the protection of the species whe…
20 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support GPs and primary care teams to widen access to nature prescriptions.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Connecting people to non-clinical options which can help with their health is an important part of a healthcare professional's toolkit. This is very much in line with the principles of Realistic Medicine, supporting our healthcare professionals to deliver a m…
17 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the number of prisoners that will be released early in (a) North Lanarkshire, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Falkirk, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.
Answer · Angela Constance: I am interpreting your question as relating to the number of prisoners who may potentially be released early under emergency release powers. Section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (which came into force on 26 May) provides Minis…
17 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding any potential impact on devolved benefits in Scotland of the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.
Answer · Angela Constance: Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Area Director for Scotland, to make them aware of the Cabinet …
17 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with alcohol and drug partnerships regarding the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), to make them aware of the Cabinet Secretary’s statement. The lette…
17 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26254 by Tom Arthur on 27 March 2024, by what date it expects to have completed its analysis and feasibility exercise regarding a Community Wealth Building Bill.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Further to my previous response (S6W-26254) we are continuing detailed analysis of all respondents’ feedback to the public consultation and examining the feasibility of all proposals for legislative change. We will keep parliament informed as the process deve…
17 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27126 by Tom Arthur on 13 May 2024, in light of the recent ministerial reshuffle, whether it still plans to report on the findings of the independent review prior to summer recess in 2024.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Publication of the independent review focused on increasing the number of social enterprises, employee-owned businesses and co-operatives in Scotland has now been delayed due to the UK General Election announcement. A new publication timescale will be confirm…
17 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it would support the creation of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, in light of its presumption against new oil and gas exploration and its membership of the Under2 Coalition.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Licencing for offshore oil and gas is a matter reserved to UK Government. With regards to development of an international treaty, we are monitoring this as part of a wider programme of ongoing engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders.
14 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) guidance and (b) policies are in place to safeguard against any unpaid individuals being deployed to perform duties and roles that would normally be undertaken by NHS employees.
Answer · Neil Gray: NHS Boards have a responsibility for ensuring they have the right workforce in place at all times to provide safe and high quality patient care. There is a long history of volunteer services in NHS Scotland, and we are thankful to those who chose to volunte…
14 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the tenure of Professor Anna Glasier OBE as Women’s Health Champion will be extended beyond the end of June 2024.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Yes, it is the intention of the Scottish Government that Professor Anna Glasier OBE will remain Women’s Health Champion beyond June 2024. The Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier OBE, has been central to the delivery of the Women’s Health Plan, an…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much was paid out from the Marine Fund in the financial year 2023-24, and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of this spend.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) has paid £11.63m to applicants who were awarded total funding of £14m in 2023-24. Individual awards are published here - https://www.gov.scot/publications/marine-fund-scotland-grants-awarded/ . The Scottish Government publishe…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares of new trees have been planted in Scotland’s national forest estate, since September 2023.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) met it’s 900ha woodland creation target in 2023-24 by planting 454ha of new trees and delivering 447ha of trees through naturally seeded regeneration, principally around Loch Katrine.
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the planned natural regeneration of the 4,600 hectares surrounding Loch Katrine by Forestry and Land Scotland, and whether it has met the target of 4,600 hectares.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The delivery of woodland creation will be focused within a Gross area of 4380ha by 2050. Delivery of this will be achieved through the protection of both advanced and developing natural regeneration, as well as through active planting, which will take the for…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed how many hectares of peatland it has restored in the 2023-24 financial year.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government, through its partnership with Peatland ACTION, restored a total of 10,361 hectares in 2023-24. This is a record high delivery for the peatland restoration programme, and continues our progress towards the 2030 restoration target of 250…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the updated Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan, as set out in its Programme for Government 2023-24.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: As the Government has previously set out, we intend to strategically align green skills policy and planning behind our wider net zero and economic growth priorities so that it is fulsome, integrated and better reflects the pervasive issue of skills planning. …
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has frozen the Nature Restoration Fund.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Nature Restoration Fund has not been frozen. The competitive strand of our Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is currently supporting more than 65 projects, and has offered support to over 200 projects, collectively worth more than £15 million, delivering ex…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the (a) biodiversity strategy and (b) designation of a new national park.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: (a) Following a public consultation a draft Biodiversity strategy was published in 2022. The strategy sets out our clear ambition for Scotland to be Nature positive by 2030 and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045. A furt…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed Education Bill, as set out in its Programme for Government 2023-24.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the system and culture change required to improve outcomes and support professionals in classrooms and education settings all over Scotland. As part of this work, a Bill will be laid before parliament this …
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with the Scottish Premier Football League to discuss sectarianism.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27516 on 22 May 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling sectarianism in wider society, in addition to football.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27516 on 22 May 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with the Scottish Football Association to discuss sectarianism.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27516 on 22 May 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who has ministerial responsibility for tackling sectarianism in football.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27516 on 22 May 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…
13 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its policies aimed at tackling sectarianism to assess their effectiveness and report any findings to the Parliament.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including sectarianism. Football has a role to play in tackling sectarianism but, like all societal problems, it manifests across society and therefore our approa…
12 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) any increasing risk from drug resistant and untreatable infections and (b) preparedness plans to deal with this.
Answer · Neil Gray: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is listed amongst the World Health Organisation’s top ten global public health threats. The Scottish Government works closely with stakeholders in Scotland and beyond to assess the risks associated with AMR and implement key act…
10 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be sending representatives to attend COP29, and, if so, which ministers will be in attendance.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is committed to working with our international partners to secure a global transition to a net zero and resilient future in a way that is fair and just for all. COPs are an important opportunity for international partners to come toge…