Parliamentary questions
Jamie Greene
1,978 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the cost will be of repairing the engine exhaust leak on the MV Isle of Arran vessel that occurred in April 2023.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: CalMac Ferries Limited have provided details that the repair to the Isle of Arran exhaust leak in April 2023 incurred a cost of £1,212.54. This cost was included within their vessel maintenance budget.
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that beavers, which are culled under licences issued by NatureScot, are culled in a humane way, and what estimate it has made of the number of beavers that have been culled in the most recent year for which data is available.
Answer · Lorna Slater: We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare. Where lethal control of beavers is required to be undertaken, this must be carried out under licence by an authorised person who must have attended training in beaver ecology, the law, and …
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the NatureScot publication, Avian Influenza Report on the H5N1 outbreak in wild birds 2020-2023, published on 11 April 2023.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We welcome NatureScot’s Avian Influenza Report on the H5N1 outbreak in wild birds and agree that our priority both now and in the future should be on continued disease surveillance, demographic monitoring and research to inform the long-term management of our…
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to (a) the British Property Federation report, Assessment of Scotland’s Rent Freeze and Impacts, published in April 2023, and (b) its finding that its recently introduced rent controls are further restricting the supply of new homes.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: We note the recent publication by the British Property Federation, assessing the impact of the emergency Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022. We recognise the importance of the private rented sector in the provision of rented housing, incl…
17 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling the reported large amount of absenteeism of offenders carrying out unpaid work as part of a Community Payback Order.
Answer · Angela Constance: Once a Community Payback Order (CPO) has been imposed, its management – including with regard to compliance and attendance – is a matter for the courts and local authority justice social work services. Managing compliance effectively is critical to achieveme…
6 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many homes have been returned to use with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership since 2022, and whether it can provide a breakdown of the information by local authority area.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The number of empty homes returned to use with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2021-22 is 1,152. This information is published each year in their annual report and available to view on the website: https://emptyhomespartnership.scot/ .…
5 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has, in the last two years, been made aware of any changes to SafeDeposits Scotland’s scheme rules, and, if so, what these changes were, and (a) when and (b) for what reason any such changes were made.
Answer · Paul McLennan: A review of the tenancy deposit schemes was undertaken at the end of 2018. It was clear from the findings that the current regulations continued to provide a robust regulatory and operational framework. Following the review a number of revisions to the opera…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent changes have been made to the ability of the public to access Fatal Accident Inquiry records, including any related changes made on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website.
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.
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to improving the (a) ease and (b) consistency of public access to Fatal Accident Inquiry records, in light of reports that only the 50 most recent records from 2022 onwards are easily accessible on the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service website, without …
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.
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the salary bands of the chief executives of its three mandatory tenancy deposit scheme providers.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The role of the Scottish Government is to monitor each of the three deposit schemes for compliance. This includes being satisfied that the tenancy deposit schemes have clear and substantial processes in place that meet the requirements laid out in the regulat…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the commitment made in 2018 to reduce Scotland's food waste by 33% by 2025.
Answer · Lorna Slater: A detailed analysis of the composition of household waste and other available data has been undertaken and we aim to publish an updated food waste estimate in the coming months. Our consultation on proposals for a Waste and Circular Economy Route Map set out…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, what recent discussions the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights has had with Safe Deposits Scotland regarding staffing levels, including staff turnover, following reportedly…
Answer · Paul McLennan: There have been no recent discussions between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights with SafeDeposits Scotland regarding staffing levels and staff turnover. Officials engage with each of the approved schemes on a regular ba…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark MS Awareness Week, which takes place from 24 to 30 April.
Answer · Jenni Minto: We understand how distressing and debilitating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be, and we want to ensure that all people living with the condition in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support. The Scottish Government has committed £1.95 mill…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any Scottish Government representatives were invited to attend the 2023 Scottish Police Federation Conference in person on 29 March 2023.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans was invited to address the 2023 Scottish Police Federation Biennial Conference in person on 29 March 2023. While the Cabinet Secretary was not able to attend in person, he provided a pre-recorded address to the c…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the NatureScot Research Report 1313, Teaching, learning and play in the outdoors: a survey of provision in Scotland in 2022, published on 30 March 2023.
Answer · Natalie Don: Scottish Ministers note this report, welcoming the very positive evidence of significant progress with outdoor learning in early learning but noting the reduction in access to outdoor learning experiences in primary. We have been working intensively with the …
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Cycling report, Developing A Nation Of Cyclists 2.0, published on 14 March 2023.
Answer · Maree Todd: Overall, the Scottish Government thinks that this is a well-designed and helpful document which clearly outlines the approach which Scottish Cycling plans to take. We welcome the focus on improving diversity in cycling participation as well as a pathway for …
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, what information it holds on the number of SafeDeposits Scotland customers who were impacted by the “teething issues” with the new system.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of SafeDeposits Scotland customers who were impacted by the implementation of the new system.
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide any data that it holds regarding response times by SafeDeposits Scotland to its customers.
Answer · Paul McLennan: SafeDeposits Scotland has a duty to provide a quarterly performance report of the scheme’s performance measured against the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the Schedule to the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 . The latest quarterly …
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, on what date SafeDeposits Scotland first implemented the estimated response time, including in relation to automatic replies to emails, of over five working days; when that estimated response time was reduce…
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government's role is to monitor the Schemes' compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme Regulations 2011 and is not involved in the business operations of the Schemes. The Scottish Government therefore does not hold information on when SafeDepo…
2 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent estimate it has made of the level of illegal mobile phone use by individuals in charge of a vehicle, and what steps it is taking to address this.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Observational studies covering Great Britain are carried out on behalf of the Department for Transport every four or five years. The latest of these was undertaken in 2021 and published in July 2022. Mobile phone use by drivers: Great Britain, 2021 - GOV.UK …
2 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15206 by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023, when it expects the National Dashcam Safety Portal to undergo trials and become fully operational for public use.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Police Scotland is reviewing the project’s timings as part of their wider planning for 2023/24 and beyond. My predecessor met with the Assistant Chief Constable on 9 February on this matter, and whilst all those involved with delivering the National Dashcam…
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the latest ministerial reshuffle, for what reason it was decided that the Minister for Higher and Further Education should also have portfolio responsibilities in relation to veterans, and what its position is on whether there is any overlap between the two portfolios.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Graeme Dey MSP holds two distinct and separate Ministerial roles within the Scottish Government. These are Minister for Higher and Further Education and also Minister for Veterans. Mr Dey is a previous holder of this post. As Minister for Veterans from 2018 …
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the housing statistics quarterly update for March 2023, which found that there were 19,227 starts in the year to end September 2022, a decrease of 12% (2,580 homes) from the 21,807 starts in the previous year, and 24% (6,047 homes) below the 25,283 homes started i…
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government recognises the impact on housing delivery of the ongoing challenges with price inflation, materials and labour in the construction sector and is working closely with the construction industry and housing partners to mitigate this where…
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the day-to-day responsibilities will be of the recently-appointed Minister for Independence.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16883 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-committ…
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many tasers are currently available for use by Police Scotland officers.
Answer · Angela Constance: The provision and deployment of Taser is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the recruitment (a) process and (b) timeline for appointing Police Scotland’s next Chief Constable, including any discussions that it has had with the Scottish Police Authority on this matter.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Police Authority has launched a recruitment campaign on Friday 31 March 2023, looking for a new Chief Constable to lead the second largest police service in the UK, after Sir Iain Livingstone QPM announced his intention to retire in the summer of…
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the maintenance and repairs backlog at (a) Inverclyde Royal Hospital and (b) University Hospital Crosshouse.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The cost of identified maintenance and repair work at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and University Hospital Crosshouse is approximately £102 million and £31 million respectively.
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) injuries and (b) deaths were reported in connection with the use of e-scooters on (i) roads and (ii) pavements, in 2022.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Data on injuries and deaths from road accidents for 2022 are still being collected and provisional figures will be available on 24 May 2023. I will therefore be able to provide an update to the member's question at that time.
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of any trends relating to the protected bat population, including the common pipistrelle.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Through NatureScot, the Scottish Government supports the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP). The NBMP is a world-leading citizen science programme which produces population trends for British bat species. Population trend information for bats in Scotla…
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many miles of hedgerow have been (a) reinstated and (b) planted through schemes such as the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, in each year for which data is available.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government supports and funds the creation and restoration of hedgerows in Scotland through the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) and the Agri Environment Climate Scheme (AECS). A breakdown of the total miles of hedgerows reinstated and planted thro…