Parliamentary questions
Jamie Greene
1,978 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many railway stations do not have CCTV monitoring on their premises.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: ScotRail advises it has 284 stations that have live images streaming back to the centres. The rest have internet protocol cameras or cameras with secure digital cards. The only stations that do not have CCTV are Altnabreac and Dunrobin Castle.
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are employed in ScotRail’s customer service centres in (a) Paisley and (b) Dunfermline, and how many full-time equivalent staff are directly involved in CCTV monitoring.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: ScotRail advises that in Paisley there are 34 positions with 27 monitoring CCTV as part of their duties. 4 Managers and 3 Announcers who can monitor CCTV but it is not their primary role. In Dunfermline there are 20 positions with 13 monitoring CCTV as part o…
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings in the Scottish Women’s Aid and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland report, Policies Not Promises: A review of Scottish social landlord’s domestic abuse policies, published in April 2023.
Answer · Paul McLennan: We welcome Scottish Women’s Aid and the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland’s Policies Not Promises report. It illustrates why the proposed new duty on social landlords to develop and implement a domestic abuse housing policy, as part of wider duties to p…
24 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress on (a) the recommendations in the report, A Review of the Aquaculture Regulatory Process in Scotland, published in February 2022, and (b) establishing a short-term project board.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-01811 on 25 January 2023 which is available on the Parliament's website, the Official Report can be found here: Meeting of the Parliament: 25/01/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website I am pleased to update that t…
24 Apr 2023 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to new Police Scotland statistics showing that the number of recorded rapes has increased to its highest level in six years.
21 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which (a) of its departments and (b) public bodies, including Public Health Scotland, have yet to receive a grey tick under the Twitter verification scheme, and what information it holds on when any such grey ticks are expected to be attributed.
Answer · Angus Robertson: At the current time, of the Twitter accounts managed centrally by Scottish Government Communications, 8 have a grey tick and 25 do not have a grey tick. Organisations are required to apply for verification from Twitter via an online form. Twitter have indicat…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken any research in relation to government departments potentially utilising generative artificial intelligence to (a) assist in improving the delivery of public services and governance and (b) offer improved value for money in the use of public funds.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Currently generative AI is not being used by The Scottish Government in a policy environment. However, through our CivTech challenge process we are engaging with technology providers around how we might in future make use of AI to solve particular public issu…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any of its representatives will attend the 53rd Annual Conference of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, in light of the reported economic value of the shellfish industry to Scotland.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The shellfish industry is an increasingly important aquaculture and food sector, creating and sustaining employment opportunities in many of Scotland’s remote rural, island and coastal communities and which supplies healthy and delicious Scottish shellfish to…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any of its representatives will attend the Sustainable Aquaculture Summit on 16-17 May 2023 at the Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scottish Government Officials will attend the Sustainable Aquaculture Summit on 16 and 17 May 2023, including participating in a scheduled panel discussion at the event: ‘ Delivering the Scottish Governments Vision for the blue economy ’.
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scotland-relevant findings in the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization publication, Report of the Third NASCO Performance Review, published in March 2023.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Third NASCO Performance Review was carried out to evaluate the functioning and effectiveness of NASCO and to identify areas where improvements are needed to strengthen the Organisation, and to enhance the implementation of the NASCO Convention, and it’s R…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Scottish Racing’s Annual Review & Prospectus 2023, which shows the economic value of horseracing in Scotland.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government welcomes the continued and significant benefit that horseracing brings to the Scottish economy, providing investment, tourism, and jobs in communities across Scotland. The annual review recently produced by Scottish Racing, clearly dem…
20 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many school places have been utilised by child (a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers since 2022.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The pupil census, which records a snapshot of data at a particular point in time, showed that on the date of collection in September 2022 there were 2,062 pupils reported as asylum seekers and 5,746 reported as refugees. Under the Education (Scotland) Act 19…
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland have been charged and subsequently convicted of owning a banned dog breed since 2013, broken down by what the court disposal was.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: Information on proceedings is provided in the following tables. Table 1 shows all charges reported to COPFS under Section 1(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Table 2 shows only people prosecuted where the main charge was under Section 1(3) of the Dangerous D…
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been any incidents of a banned dog breed causing harm to an individual in Scotland since 2013, and, if so, how many such incidents have occurred.
Answer · Angela Constance: The requested information is not held centrally. The Official Statistics on Police recorded crime include offences recorded under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, such as section 1 on dogs bred for fighting and section 3 on keeping dogs under proper control. Howe…
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to (a) ban and (b) restrict the breeding of the Scottish Fold cat.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to ban the breeding of the Scottish Fold cat. The breeding of this particular breed is however restricted under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (the 2…
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many dogs deemed to be of a banned breed have been lawfully ordered to be destroyed since 2013, broken down by breed.
Answer · Angela Constance: This information is not held centrally. Criminal Proceedings data counts people proceeded against and convicted in Scottish courts. It does not include details of disposals relating to animals.
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage victims of cyber fraud to report the crime to the police, in light of the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) findings that, for most types of cyber fraud, a majority of victims did not report the incident.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) details a variety of reasons why people do not always report instances of cyber fraud to Police Scotland. This includes dealing with the issue personally or reporting it to another authority, such as a bank. Both …
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities do not currently have Empty Homes Officers; how long these positions have been vacant for, and whether it will provide an update on whether it still plans for Empty Homes Officer support to be available across all of Scotland.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government wants to see empty homes officers working across all local authorities. I can confirm that the following local authorities do not have an empty homes officer post:ClackmannanshireEast DunbartonshireEast LothianEast RenfrewshireMidlothi…
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to change Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government is committed to reforming Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to ensure they drive the energy efficiency improvements we need and incentivise zero direct emissions heating. In 2021, we consulted on the introduction of a new domestic…
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Private Rented Sector Landlord Loans have been provide by Home Energy Scotland to help registered private landlords improve the energy efficiency of their properties in each month since January 2022.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme supports landlords with the cost of installation for energy efficiency improvements, renewable systems and energy storage systems. The scheme is delivered through a demand-led model where funding is applied for …
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in 2022, how many disclosures to Police Scotland were made by individuals with a firearm or shotgun certificate regarding the mental health, or other relevant illness, of the licence holder or a family member that might affect their suitability to own a firearm, and in how many cases th…
Answer · Angela Constance: Firearm and shotgun licensing is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. This information is not held by the Scottish Government.
19 Apr 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comments by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society chief executive that the festival faces an “existential threat”.
19 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any resources, support, guidance or information for people who believe they are trapped in a cult, or for those who believe their loved ones are trapped in a cult.
Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government does not currently have guidance for people who may be trapped in a cult, or for those who believe their loved ones are trapped in a cult. We are aware of the recently published UK Government Faith review “Does Government do God” whic…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many slurry storage applications were received by the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, prior to applications closing on 24 March 2023.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16697 on 25 April 2023. 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…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the prevalence of cryptosporidium in source water, and whether it can provide a list of where it has been detected.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite which is found in the gut of warm blooded animals and enters the water environment from faecal matter. Scottish Water is required to assess the risk of Cryptosporidium in the water sources it uses for drinking water su…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mark Firefighters' Memorial Day 2023 on 4 May 2023.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fully supports Firefighters Memorial Day and the opportunity it gives us all to reflect and remember firefighters across the world who have lost their lives in keeping communities. Bill Ki…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to provide free swimming lessons to primary school children who would have been eligible but were otherwise unable to receive the lessons due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government have been working with Scottish Swimming, Education Scotland, sport scotland and Scottish Water to develop interventions and approaches to provide opportunities for children to become confident, safer and competent swimmers. sport sco…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many under-18s were held in (a) secure accommodation, (b) Young Offenders Institutions and (c) adult prisons in the year 2021-22.
Answer · Angela Constance: (a) There were 149 admissions of under 18s to secure accommodation during 2021-22. Details of those placements can be found in the Children’s Social Work Statistics Scotland: 2021 to 2022 . (b) The Scottish Prison Population Statistics 2021-22 show the e…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many full-time equivalent staff currently work at SafeDeposits Scotland.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The role of the Scottish Government is to monitor each of the three deposit schemes for compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011. This includes being satisfied that the tenancy deposit schemes have clear and substantial processe…
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many deposits have been held with SafeDeposits Scotland in each year for which data is available.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The following table provides how many deposits have been held with SafeDeposits Scotland in each year for which data is available. Tenancy deposits held 2012-13* 70,729 2013-14 82,770 2014-15 89,888 2015-16 102,181 2016-17 111,003 2017-18 122,24…