Monica Lennon

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many colorectal (a) clinical nurse specialists and (b) surgeons were employed by NHS Lanarkshire in 2019.

Answer · Neil Gray: The information requested on how many colorectal (a) clinical nurse specialists and (b) surgeons were employed by NHS Lanarkshire in 2019 is not centrally available.

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many colorectal (a) clinical nurse specialists and (b) surgeons are currently employed by NHS Lanarkshire.

Answer · Neil Gray: As set out in my answer S6W-26968 on 25 April 2024, the information requested on how many colorectal (a) clinical nurse specialists and (b) surgeons were employed by NHS Lanarkshire in 2019 is not centrally available. All answers to written Parliamentary Que…

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is marking bowel cancer awareness month. 

Answer · Neil Gray: Raising awareness of all cancers, including bowel, remains a priority for the Scottish Government. We published our Cancer Strategy for Scotland Cancer strategy 2023 to 2033 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) along with an initial three year Cancer action plan 2023…

22 Apr 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the report, Scoping a Domestic Legal Framework for Ecocide in Scotland, which was published by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland.

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct an assessment of the potential impact of its ban on industrial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters on puffin populations, and, if so, when it will report any findings resulting from such an assessment to Parliament.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Throughout the public consultation and in reaching the decision to close fishing for sandeel in all Scottish waters, the Scottish Government recognised the importance of potential wider environmental and ecosystem benefits, which included potential benefits t…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the potential impact on its commitment to ban single-use vapes in the event that the UK Government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill is not passed by the UK Parliament, and what discussions the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity has had with the U…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The passage of the four nations Tobacco and Vapes Bill has no impact on the Scottish Government’s commitment to prohibit the sale and supply of single-use vapes. The prohibition of the sale and supply of single-use vapes is being progressed under existing env…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any threat of wildfires in national parks ahead of the summer season, and what the outcome was of any such assessment.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: SFRS’s new wildfire strategy was created with partnership at its heart. The strategy considers the increased risk of wildfire and changing climate in Scotland; the latest developments in wildfire management, training, and operational procedures; and the advan…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans are in place in the event of a wildfire in a national park.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Wildfires typically require a significant emergency response and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as part of its new wildfire strategy, is in the process of providing a package of specialised vehicles including All-Terrain Vehicles, additional 4x4 vehicl…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the statement to the Scottish Parliament on 18 April 2024, by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy, aligns with the global affairs framework of good global citizenship.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: This Government’s commitment to ending Scotland’s contribution to global emissions as soon as possible, and by 2045 at the latest is unwavering. This will contribute to delivering international action on reducing emissions under the Paris Agreement and is a …

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will include crofts in its proposed pilot scheme on methane supressing feed products. 

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has stated an ambition to establish a pilot scheme on methane supressing feed products. Officials are currently exploring options for the proposed scheme. The pilot scheme will support policy development around the appropriate use of …

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will establish a pilot scheme for partial re-wetting projects. 

Answer · Mairi McAllan: On 18 April, I made a statement to the Scottish Parliament with new measures aimed at accelerating Scotland’s journey to net zero. These included a commitment to explore how partial rewetting of peat soils might help to further reduce carbon emissions alongsi…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a pilot scheme on methane supressing feed products before January 2025. 

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: On 18 April the Scottish Government published a new package of climate action measures, this included the intention to establish a pilot scheme to support the roll out of methane supressing feed products to reduce emissions from livestock. Officials are curr…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out the high-level principles of its proposed Air Departure Tax prior to July 2024. 

Answer · Tom Arthur: We will set out the high-level principles of ADT, including how it will support emissions reductions in due course.

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will raise its proposal of establishing a four nations climate response group at the next meeting of the (a) Interministerial Standing Committee and (b) Finance Interministerial Standing Committee. 

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of working closely and collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to deliver a net zero that is mutually beneficial both in economic and social terms. We will engage directly wi…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will raise its proposal of establishing a four nations climate response group at the next meeting of the Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Government Council. 

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of working closely and collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to deliver a net zero that is mutually beneficial both in economic and social terms. We will engage directly wi…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will raise its proposal of establishing a four nations climate response group at the next meeting of the Interministerial Group on Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of working closely and collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to deliver a net zero that is mutually beneficial both in economic and social terms. We will engage directly wi…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a new Smart Ticketing Delivery Strategy prior to July 2024. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is refreshing its Smart Delivery Strategy, outlining its programme of work and strategy for enhancing smart, integrated ticketing and payments, and digital travel data over the next 5-10 years. The strategy is being developed through…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed carbon emissions land tax will be included in its 2025-26 Budget. 

Answer · Shona Robison: The contents of Budgets are not announced until they are delivered in Parliament, and this will be the case for the 2025-26 Budget.

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on proposals to introduce a carbon emissions land tax. 

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government intends to publish a consultation on proposals to introduce a carbon land tax in summer 2024, as set out in the statement made by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024.

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many electric vehicle (EV) charging points it has delivered since 2021. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since 2011, Transport Scotland has invested over £65 million on behalf of Scottish Ministers to support the installation of public EV charge points across Scotland as part of the ChargePlace Scotland public EV charging network. As a direct result, Scotland ha…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard will take into account embodied carbon emissions. 

Answer · Paul McLennan: As outlined in the answer to question S6W-25522 on 11 March 2024 work is ongoing to consider how embodied/whole life carbon emission reporting might be addressed through building regulations or by other means. This work is outside the scope of our current ene…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce its proposed Natural Environment Bill before January 2025. 

Answer · Mairi McAllan: As set out in the 2021-22 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government is committed to “Introduce a Natural Environment Bill, putting in place key legislative changes and statutory targets to restore and protect nature” before the end of the current parl…

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce its proposed Heat in Buildings Bill ahead of the Scottish Parliament's 2024 summer recess. 

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We are in the process of analysing the approximately 1650 responses to our consultation which closed on 8 March 2024. This will allow us to take into account the feedback and perspectives from those who responded as we consider next steps. This follows the co…

11 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings and recommendations of LGBT Youth Scotland's Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People: Trans Report 2024.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government acknowledges this report which serves as a clear message that trans young people in Scotland are experiencing difficult and tangible challenges in their day to day lives. Trans people continue to suffer poorer outcomes relative to the…

10 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on Transport Scotland's work in potentially establishing motorway bus lanes around Glasgow.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The second Strategic Transport Projects Review recommends that bus priority interventions are implemented within Scotland’s cities and towns where congestion is highest and that bus priority measures continue to be identified and implemented on the trunk road…

10 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a timeline for the potential implementation of motorway bus lanes around Glasgow.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is facing a real terms cut in our capital budget. The flat and falling funding trajectory from the UK Government has significantly impacted our ability to deliver on our capital infrastructure commitments. Based on the latest forecasts…

10 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to conserve and protect the earthworm population in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of soil biodiversity including earthworm populations which bring multiple benefits to both Scotland’s ecosystems and natural environment as well as food production. We are taking steps to protect the health o…

10 Apr 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it reportedly delayed the approval of the budget for Skills Development Scotland, which, according to the National Union of Students Scotland and the National Society of Apprentices, led to unnecessary distress and disruption for thousands of apprentices.

9 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that alcohol treatment initiatives, such as the Primary Care Alcohol Nurse Outreach Service (PCANOS), are maintained as key services in addressing Scotland’s reportedly rising alcohol harms.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm and are working closely with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and the third sector to do so. Drug and alcohol services have seen a significant increase in funding as a result of the National Missio…

9 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the potential implications of the announced closure of the Grangemouth refinery as part of its work on the forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government continues to work with the business and other key stakeholders to understand the implications of any future announcement made by the business and have committed to publishing this work in due course. Whilst this commercial decision wil…