Liam Kerr

6 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times prisoners who have been accommodated according to their self-declared identity under the Scottish Prison Service Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy have been moved from a (a) women’s to a men’s and (b) men’s to a women’s prison, also broken down by how many of …

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS is currently unable to provide information on transgender people who are no longer in our care. However, I can advise tha…

6 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners identified as falling within the Scottish Prison Service Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy have never requested accommodation according to self-declared identity in a (a) men’s or (b) women’s prison.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS is currently unable to provide information on transgender people who are no longer in our care. However, I can advise tha…

6 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners identified as falling within the Scottish Prison Service Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy have requested accommodation according to self-declared identity in a (a) men’s or (b) women’s prison, also broken down by how many requests were approved. 

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS is currently unable to provide information on transgender people who are no longer in our care. However, I can advise tha…

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates completion of the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Draft Statutory Order material was published on 19 December 2019. The statutory consultation period for making representations to the Scheme proposals expires on 14 February 2020. Progress thereafter will be dependent on the public reaction to the publish…

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of road closures and diversions through the town's high street as a result of the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, what traffic orders it proposes in relation to the displaced parked traffic on the high street to ensure no loss of amenity to residents.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no permanent road closures or diversions planned that will affect the town’s High Street as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Traffic orders on the High Street are a matter for the local authority and Transport Scotland are is not aware …

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of road closures and diversions through the town's high street as a result of the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, what road orders it proposes to ensure a clear and safe route, and what impact increased usage will have on local businesses, amenity for residen…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The draft road Orders as published on 19 December 2019 are those necessary to deliver the Scheme. There are no permanent road closures or diversions planned that will affect the town’s High Street as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Detailed traf…

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, what its projected maintenance bill is for the upkeep of the A90 during these works against an anticipated increase in plant usage.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no projected increases in the maintenance costs for the A90 as a result of increased plant or road haulage use during construction of the new grade-separated junction. Haul routes proposed by the appointed contractor will be subject to consultation …

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme and diversions through Laurencekirk high street, what journey time increase it projects for users of the A90.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no permanent road closures or diversions planned that will affect the town’s High Street as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Minimising disruption during construction is a key consideration throughout the preparation and delivery phases…

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, whether it has discussed increasing the frequency of trains stopping at Laurencekirk railway station in order to reduce traffic requiring to use the area during the works.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The current timetable which has been in effect since May 2019 - well in advance of any construction works - has already resulted in an increased service provision with 40 trains now stopping each week day at Laurencekirk railway station. There are currently n…

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of road closures and diversions through the town's high street as a result of the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, what impact and risk assessments have been carried out in relation to increased traffic volume in the immediate proximity of Mearns Academy.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no permanent road closures or diversions that will affect the town’s High Street planned as a result of the new grade-separated junction and detailed traffic modelling undertaken as part of the development and assessment of the preferred option indi…

20 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme and diversions through Laurencekirk high street, how it will monitor noise levels, and what steps it will take to (a) mitigate any significant increase in such levels and (b) ensure there is no diminution of the abilit…

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no permanent diversions that will affect the town’s High Street planned as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Detailed traffic modelling undertaken as part of the development and assessment of the preferred option indicates no significant…

17 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on track to meet net zero emissions by 2045.

10 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the performance of Scotland in maths and science that was recorded in the recent PISA results is its poorest.

2 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported comments by the Chief Constable and others that the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) 2018 report into undercover policing gives Police Scotland’s operations a clean bill of health, in light of the lead inspector for the report being the fo…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The HMCICS report into undercover policing in 2018 provided the Scottish Parliament and the general public with re-assurance around how this sensitive area of policing is managed currently in Scotland. The report found that there was no evidence of systemic f…

2 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, what its position is on whether the allegations of chaotic and potentially criminal activity within the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) should be considered a legacy matter that does not merit further investigation, in light…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: While this is ultimately a matter for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), I have noted that the report by the Chief Constable to the SPA board on 27 November outlines that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has given independent assurance that a strong go…

2 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of burning of official documents by members of the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) in 2011, which senior officer(s) (a) had responsibility for the SOU's finances, including telephone and banking accounts,…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold any information on individuals that may have been involved in this incident or the staffing structure at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. These are operational matters and that information will likel…

2 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the executive summary, whether it will publish the full report on the Metropolitan Police's review of the Police Scotland investigation, Operation Towering, into the disposal of files by the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Dr…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is an operational decision for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to consider whether to publish the full report by the Metropolitan Police Service.

2 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) was aware of allegations that the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) had destroyed paperwork, and when COPFS made the decision that there was no criminality inv…

Answer · James Wolffe QC: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) was supplied with material in relation to the conduct of aspects of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency on 12 July 2011. On 20 July 2011, COPFS intimated to SCDEA that there was no evidence of …

2 Dec 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the executive summary of the Metropolitan Police's review of the Police Scotland investigation, Operation Towering, into the disposal of files by the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), what its p…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). Following discussion at the SPA Board meeting on 27 November, the Chief Constable committed to a written report summarising the additional information and further clarity provided at the meeting. This …

27 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of murder subsequently committed crimes of serious assault, or worse, (a) while on home leave or (b) within 12 months of being released, in the last 10 years.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: People who are convicted of murder by a Scottish Court receive a mandatory life sentence and are subject either to custody or, if approved for released by the independent Parole Board, licence conditions in the community for the remainder of their lives. A r…

26 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Oil & Gas UK’s Environment Report 2018, which highlights a commitment to "playing its part in building a sustainable industry that is progressively lowering its emission intensity".

19 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will retract its statements on youth employment, in light of the UK Statistics Authority's recent comments on its use of the Labour Force Survey.

8 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much it cost to organise and run in Scotland the (a) (i) 2011 and (ii) 2016 Scottish Parliament election, (b) (i) 2010, (ii) 2015 and (iii) 2017 general election, (c) (i) 2012 and (ii) 2017 local government election, (d) (i) 2014 and (ii) 2019 Europe…

Answer · Michael Russell: (a) Scottish Parliament Elections (i) We do not hold information on the costs associated with the 2011 Scottish Parliament election. Scottish parliamentary election expenses claims for this poll were dealt with by the Scotland Office. (ii) Following the tra…

8 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many school pupils in each local authority area have been excluded for (a) physical assault and (b) assault with a weapon in each of the last three years.

Answer · John Swinney: Statistics on pupil exclusion from school are collected biennially by the Scottish Government. Headline statistics for 2018-19 will be published on 10 December with further breakdowns published in March 2020. Information for 2016-17 is shown in the following …

5 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on north east road infrastructure projects.

1 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many charges have been brought under (a) sections 1(1) and 2(1) of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005, (b) section 41(1) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 and (c) other legislation for assaulting emergency workers in each of the last five years, and how many charges (i) were d…

Answer · James Wolffe QC: The document has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, Bib No. 61172.

1 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many police-recorded common assaults on emergency workers there have been in each of the last five years.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The following table below contains the number of Common Assault of an Emergency Worker offences recorded by the police in each of the last five years. It should be noted these figures will not include all police recorded attacks on emergency workers (for exam…

31 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether fines imposed on private sector-operated prisons are retained in the Scottish Prison Service budget.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: When credit notes are received as a result of performance at HMP Addiewell and HMP Kilmarnock failing to meet the standards set in the…

28 Oct 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to replace HMP Barlinnie.

21 Oct 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps Social Security Scotland has taken to mitigate the risk of fraud.