Parliamentary questions

Alexander Burnett

1,406 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

25 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many electric vehicle (EV) charging points there were in Scotland in 2019, and how many there are now.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The total amount of publicly available electric vehicle charge points registered on the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network are as follows - 31 December 2019 = 1226 24 April 2022 (latest update) = 2244

25 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the reason is for any change in breast screening policy, in light of reports that regular screening for the over-70s is being reduced to screening only for those who have found a lump.

Answer · Maree Todd: Anyone, of any age, who displays signs or symptoms of breast cancer should report concerns to their GP. Should further investigation be required, which can include a lump in breast tissue, this would be referred through the symptomatic service, and not direct…

22 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review planning gains for onshore windfarm developments, in order to allow rural communities to offset any negative impact that a saturation of windfarms may have on them.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) set out a spatial strategy based on how our approach to planning and development can help to achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045. This included a new policy on community wealth building, supporting a mor…

22 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider a moratorium on onshore windfarm developments until an update to its Energy Strategy is published later in 2022.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a moratorium on windfarm development. To achieve a net zero, nature-positive Scotland, our planning system must be rebalanced so that climate change and nature recovery are the primary guiding principles for …

22 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to any impact that a saturation of onshore windfarms can have on rural communities and their long-term viability.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government’s draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) set out how our approach to planning and development can achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045. The draft NPF4 included green energy policy 19 which would support renewable energy…

22 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider a moratorium on onshore windfarm developments until National Planning Framework 4 is published later in 2022.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a moratorium on windfarm development. To achieve a net zero, nature-positive Scotland, our planning system must be rebalanced so that climate change and nature recovery are the primary guiding principles for …

21 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to encourage farmland to be used for agriculture instead of tree planting.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07181 on 24 March 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/writte…

13 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of the R100 programme in rural areas.

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether factors such as risk to life and potential impact on the economy of Ballater as a tourist destination have been taken into account in reaching decisions regarding funding granted through the flood defence schemes.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: No final funding decisions have been made about actions or schemes proposed in the Flood Risk Management Plans published by SEPA in January 2021. A joint Scottish Government/COSLA Flood Risk Management Working Group has been set up and is considering fundin…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total projected cost is of the new Cycle Two flood defence schemes proposed by SEPA.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Proposals for the schemes set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans are still at an early stage and it is not possible to provide a total projected cost at present. Costs are revised over time as designs are finalised and more detailed investigations are car…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) original budget and (b) actual cost is for each of the Cycle One flood defence schemes that has been started but not completed.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The following schemes are under construction. (a) Initial cost (£ million) (b)Estimated final cost (£ million) Broughty Ferry 10.0 16.3 Upper Garnock 15.5 18.5 Kirkintilloch - Park Burn 0.4 0.4 Hawick 37.4 78.6 Drumnadrochit 3.4 5.7 Stone…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce which new Cycle Two flood defence schemes it will fund.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07958 on 9 May 2022. 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/w…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any budget overruns on Cycle One flood defence schemes will reduce funding available for Cycle Two schemes.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: In 2016, agreement was reached between Scottish Ministers and COSLA on a new strategic funding plan for flood protection schemes. The agreement guarantees that until 2026 the level of flooding capital grant in the local government settlement is set at a minim…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timescale is, within which local authorities are to complete Cycle Two flood defence schemes.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The local flood risk management plans, which are due to be published by December 2022, will provide more detail on how the actions set out in the flood risk management plans for 2022-2028 will be delivered including who will lead them and how the actions will…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) original budget and (b) actual cost was for each of the Cycle One flood defence schemes that has been completed.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The following formal flood protection schemes are complete. Scheme (a) Initial Cost (£ million) (b) Estimated Final Cost (£ million) Huntly 4.9 3.8 Newmill 1.9 1.8 Dundee 6.2 6.9 Kirkwall 1.8 1.8 White Cart Water Phase 3 5.9 7.2 Camlachie…

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the original budget was for each Cycle One flood defence scheme that has not yet not yet been started.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The following schemes are at various stages of development but are not yet under construction: Scheme Initial cost (£ million) Kilmacolm – Glenmosston Burn 0.5 Comrie 15.7 Millport Coastal 12.1 Campbeltown 9.3 Arbroath 11.4 Dumbarton - Gruggies …

4 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding will be available for new Cycle Two flood defence schemes, in light of any Cycle One budget overruns.

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07414 by Kevin Stewart on 1 April 2022, when the next review of remaining recommendations in adult care homes will take place.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Guidance is regularly reviewed and updated based on clinical evidence. Scottish Government Officials and clinicians continue to work with Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland, as has be…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm what its plans are for a post-implementation review of the Honey (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Answer · Maree Todd: There is currently no formal plan in place to conduct a post implementation review of the Honey Regulations (Scotland) 2015. However, as the body with policy responsibility for these regulations, Food Standards Scotland continues to monitor the effectiveness …

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to meet with former Hong Kong residents who have resettled in Scotland in order to collect feedback on their experiences.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07560 on 19 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland are successfully integrated into local communities.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07557 on? 19 April 2022. 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-committe…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07058 by Neil Gray on 14 March 2022, whether it will provide further details of the steps that it has taken to ensure that Hong Kong residents coming to the UK through the British National (Overseas) visa scheme are encouraged to resettle in Scotlan…

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07513 on 12 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to ensure that former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland are not subjected to racism in the communities in which they chose to live.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07510 on 19 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any Chinese state influence or interference in universities in Scotland.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07565 on 19 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the level and nature of financial investment from China in universities in Scotland.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07567 on 20 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any reported allegations that the Chinese Communist Party, through student groups on university campuses in Scotland, is seeking to deter certain events from taking place, and, if so, what action has been taken to address this.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07568 on19 April 2022. 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…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made in relation to ensuring that former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland are not subjected to racism or discrimination.

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what resources are provided to former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland in order to ensure that they integrate safely.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07557 on 19 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many Confucius Institute branches are active in universities in Scotland.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07563 on 22 April 2022. 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-committee…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) can take and (b) is taking to ensure that the Consul General of China does not have any undue influence over local or national politics in Scotland.

Answer · Angus Robertson: Safeguarding our democracy is of upmost importance to the Scottish Government. This includes being an open, accessible and transparent government. Public officials, including Ministers, MSPs and councillors, are subject to Code of Conducts which provide a cle…