Parliamentary questions
Liam Kerr
2,165 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36190 by Angela Constance on 22 April 2025, when the peer review is expected to (a) commence and (b) conclude, and whether the final report will be published before the end of 2025.
Answer · Angela Constance: The research paper is currently with peer reviewers and is expected to be concluded by early June. We are committed to publishing the report and will do so once the peer review process and any further action needed has concluded. I expect to be able to do tha…
18 Apr 2025 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 506 sex offenders in Scotland have changed their name in the past two years.
4 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36007 by Angela Constance on 3 March 2025, whether it will provide the information requested regarding what the reasons were for (a) the five-year delay in publishing an updated memorandum of understanding/agreement and (b) it missing the "end …
Answer · Angela Constance: The Parole Board for Scotland and officials at Community Justice Division initiated the redrafting of the memorandum of understanding/agreement in summer 2022. Protracted discussions and negotiations on the nature and detail of the document; and resource inte…
26 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has met prison governors since 29 March 2023 and what subjects were discussed, broken down by governor.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have undertaken an extensive programme of visits to Scotland’s prisons where I have met with Governors and/or Deputy Governors and other members of prison staff. Details of these visits are shown in the following table.EstablishmentDate(s) of VisitsAg…
26 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has met the (a) chief executive of the Scottish Prisons Service, (b) chief Social Work Advisor, (c) chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and (d) Lord President of the Court of Session since 29 March …
Answer · Angela Constance: I have met the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prisons Service, the Chief Social Work Advisor, Chief Executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and Lord President of the Court of Session on a number of occasions since 29 March 2023.Information is …
26 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has met (a) Scottish Women’s Aid, (b) Victim Support Scotland, (c) Rape Crisis Scotland and (d) COSLA since 29 March 2023, and what subjects were discussed.
Answer · Angela Constance: Scottish Women's Aid, Victim Support Scotland, Rape Crisis Scotland and COSLA are all members of the Victims Taskforce which has met 4 times since 29 March 2023. The dates and minutes of those meetings can be found at Victims Taskforce - gov.scot. They have a…
25 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted a review of (a) internet speeds in Scottish courts, (b) the effectiveness of video conferencing technology that is used in Scottish courts for virtual hearings and (c) the resourcing of the technology and infrastructure provided for such virtual hearings.
Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.
25 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much court time it estimates is currently being lost per month on average due to any delays in establishing remote links and re-establishing failed remote links during virtual court hearings, and what the reasons are for any such delays.
Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.
24 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the Lord Advocate remains independent in her capacity as the chief public prosecutor while also being politically accountable as the senior Law Officer.
Answer · Angela Constance: As protected by section 48(5) of the Scotland Act 1998, the Law Officers operate entirely independently of any other person as they undertake their prosecutorial and investigation of deaths functions. The Lord Advocate is accountable to the Scottish Parliamen…
24 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the practice of the Lord Advocate and/or Solicitor General attending meetings of the Cabinet is still in place; how many meetings one or both have attended in each of the last 10 years; what their current remit is when attending meetings, and whether the current arrangements are …
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Law Officers are not members of the Scottish Cabinet. Consistent with long standing practice, the Lord Advocate (or, in their absence, the Solicitor General) attends Cabinet meetings whenever it is required. In practice this means when Cabinet is…
24 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it responded, other than an acknowledgement, to the letter in February 2024 from the then Secretary of State for Scotland to the then First Minister requesting an update on "whether the dual functions of the Law Officers, as head of the independent prosecution service and princip…
Answer · Angela Constance: I replied to the letter of 9 February from the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack MP on 29 February 2024 in which I confirmed the commission of an expert report and the scope of that report, and that I would keep UK Government informed of plan…
24 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) terms of reference, (b) instructions and (c) scope of the work given, as part of the commissioning process, to the person appointed to research and report on the dual role of the Lord Advocate.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government commissioned an expert report from Malcolm McMillan on the roles and functions of the Scottish Law Officers. The purpose of the report is to outline the history and development of the roles and functions of the Scottish Law Officers; d…
24 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the report on the dual role of the Lord Advocate will be (a) finalised and (b) published, and whether it will publish preliminary findings in advance of final publication.
Answer · Angela Constance: The final report has been received and as agreed it will now be subject to peer review. I will provide a further update on progress as soon as that has been concluded. We are committed to publishing the report and will do so once the peer review process and a…
21 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to encourage the reporting of crimes against retailers and their staff, including to make it easier for such incidents to be reported.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government continue to urge all retailers and their staff to keep reporting crimes. While it might feel like some minor incidents aren’t worth it, or individual retailers may feel like the police won’t be able to do anything, each cri…
21 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the suggestion by the Scottish Retail Consortium that the £3 million fund to deal with retail crime, which was announced in its 2025-26 Budget, should be made permanent.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I was pleased to welcome the launch of Police Scotland’s plans to tackle retail crime last month, which is being funded by an additional £3 million from the Scottish Government.I hope to see these plans make a difference to the rates of shopliftin…
21 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) arrests and (b) prosecutions there have been each year under the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021, also broken down by how many (i) convictions and (ii) other disposals there were.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: COPFS does not hold records of arrests: not all persons who are arrested by the police are subsequently reported to Procurator Fiscal.The following table shows the number of charges, not accused persons, reported to COPFS under the Protection of Workers (Reta…
21 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether prioritising action on retail crime, including shoplifting, should form part of (a) its strategic police priorities and (b) the priorities of the Scottish Police Authority.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Strategic Police Priorities (SPPs) are designed to provide high-level direction for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland, as set out in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. Prevention and detection of crime and working with k…
17 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Aberdeen–Central Belt 2026 Enhancement Project was renamed the Aberdeen–Central Belt Service Improvement Project; for what reason the name was changed; at the time that the name was changed, whether anything else was changed, such as the scope, outcomes or delivery d…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The name change was made in early 2024 during the development of the Aberdeen Route Upgrade business case, to reflect the planned project output of service improvements. There was no change to project scope. This was a project level decision, as such no consu…
17 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35073 by Fiona Hyslop on 4 March 2025, whether it will provide the information requested regarding what increase in freight capacity will be delivered through the Aberdeen–Central Belt Service Improvement Project, and for what reason it did no…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Freight capacity is usually measured in the number of available paths, i.e. the number of freight trains it is possible for infrastructure to accommodate alongside passenger trains. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35073 on 4 March 2025. All a…
17 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-34510 by Angela Constance on 3 March 2025, in light of its previous commitment to publish an updated memorandum of understanding between the Parole Board for Scotland and the Scottish Ministers by the end of 2024, what the reasons are for (a) the fi…
Answer · Angela Constance: The Memorandum of Understanding is a jointly drafted and agreed document between the Parole Board for Scotland (PBS) and Scottish Ministers. The MOU defines the relationship and interaction between Parole Board for Scotland and the Scottish Government.The MoU…
17 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the scope and terms of reference that it agreed with AMEY to investigate what safety improvements are required to the trunk road at Toll of Birness; by what date the study will be (a) completed and (b) published; how the reported £10,000 fee for the study wa…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Each year Transport Scotland, through its Operating Companies, undertakes a review of collisions on the trunk road network to identify cluster sites, or routes with recorded personal injury collisions that may be worthwhile of further investigation.Whilst the…
17 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-02023 by Jenny Gilruth on 16 March 2023, in light of the minister’s comments that, although dualling of the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead was not recommended, “measures were considered for improving road safety and reliability and adap…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland undertakes an annual assessment of the safety performance of the entire trunk road network, including the A90. Further investigations are then carried out and, where appropriate, mitigation measures are prioritised for delivery.Whilst the T…
12 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Camphill organisation regarding long-term funding for its work.
Answer · Maree Todd: A. There have been no discussions between the Scottish Government and the Camphill organisation regarding long-term funding for their work.
8 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to equip all police cars with telematicstechnology and, if so, by what date this will be achieved.
Answer · Angela Constance: The use of telematics technology on police vehicles is an operational matter for the Chief Constable under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority.
8 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of police carsbeing fitted with telematics technology.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government supports the Police Scotland Fleet Strategy. Telematics is a key element of that Strategy which aims to provide a fit for purpose, safe, reliable, and cost-effective police fleet.
8 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of police cars arefitted with telematics technology, also broken down by Police Scotlanddivision.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested. The use of telematics technology on police vehicles is an operational matter for the Chief Constable under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority.
6 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will legislate to split the dual role of the Lord Advocate before the end of the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Law Officers’ role is secured by the Scotland Act 1998 and any changes to that role would require legislation in the UK or Scottish Parliaments depending on any changes proposed. As we have said, the Scottish Government will engage further with the …
6 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what proportion of prisoners released under each early release programme in each of the last five years has an outstanding warrant for arrest, also broken down by what proportion has left the UK.
Answer · Angela Constance: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. Outstanding warrants are an operational matter for Police Scotland and other relevant authorities.Emergency early release regulat…
6 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will legislate to prevent registered sex offenders from changing their name.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government takes the safety of the public very seriously. Sex offender notification requirements apply to an individual, irrespective of what name they use. Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements record any aliases in their documentation. Th…
6 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what proportion of prisoners released under each early release programme in each of the last five years (a) were employed, (b) requested voluntary throughcare and (c) were homeless within six months of release.
Answer · Angela Constance: Emergency early release regulations have been utilised twice within the last five years (May 2020 and June/July 2024).On both occasions, the conditions of release were as they would have been at the individual’s original scheduled liberation date. There…