Parliamentary questions
Finlay Carson
905 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties have been removed from the R100 build scope since 2017, broken down by (a) lot and (b) year.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Our Reaching 100% (R100) commitment is delivered through three strands of activity – the R100 contracts, the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (R100 SBVS) and continued commercial build. While a property may move between these strands, for example prope…
2 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data from the fishing industry will feed into any current or future assessments of fish stocks in the River Clyde, and whether any such data will include information from randomised checks of fishing boats.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The stock assessment mentioned in the response to S6W-18907 is still at a developmental stage. Before it could be used as the basis for advice, it would need to a) be finalised and published, and b) undergo a rigorous benchmark process conducted under the aus…
2 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which universities and research establishments are currently working with Marine Scotland in relation to fishing issues on the River Clyde.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The University of Strathclyde, through a PhD project co-supervised with Marine Directorate staff, is involved in data collation and stock assessment modelling for demersal fish stocks in the Clyde. The project uses fisheries-dependent data (from logbooks for …
2 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on whether the University of Strathclyde is involved in any fishing trials or surveys, or computer modelling work regarding fish stocks in the River Clyde.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The University of Strathclyde, through a PhD project co-supervised with Marine Directorate staff, is involved in data collation and stock assessment modelling for demersal fish stocks in the Clyde. The project uses fisheries-dependent data (from logbooks for …
2 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any River Clyde fishery surveys that have taken place in the last 24 months.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The following table summarises the survey work conducted by the Marine Directorate in the Firth of Clyde, between June 2021 and June 2023. Year Month Survey Vessel Days in Clyde 2021 June Nephrops underwater TV survey Scotia 2 2021 August NatureS…
30 May 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comments by Scottish Opera, regarding the disbanding of an orchestra due to the lack of young people in the industry.
18 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the policy is for people employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service who have had their C1 licence temporarily revoked due to medical issues.
Answer · Michael Matheson: All employees of NHS Scotland, including employees of the Scottish Ambulance Service, who have had their C1 licence temporarily revoked due to medical issues would be managed under the Attendance, NHS Scotland Workforce Policy (Once for Scotland). Each case …
17 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce legislation relating to pet-friendly residential tenancy agreements.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our ‘New Deal for Tenants’ consultation sought views on proposals to strengthen the rights of tenants including greater rights to have a pet. We are currently developing proposals for future reform. The timing and content of a Housing Bill is currently being …
10 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) other UK administrations, (b) Health and Safety Executive and (c) stakeholders regarding alternatives to Asulox as a bracken control measure going forward.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Scottish Government officials meet regularly with counterparts from other UK administrations and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the UK regulator, on general pesticide policy and specific points of interest. Sustainable methods for the control of br…
10 May 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to announce the delivery plan for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review.
12 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what obligations NHS boards have to provide attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) screening and assessment for adults, and what the criteria are for patients to access such screening and assessment.
Answer · Maree Todd: It is the responsibility of Local Health and Social Care Partnerships to put in place services to meet local needs, including the needs of adults with ADHD. The 2020 Programme for Government included a commitment to consider a National Clinical Pathway for A…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) when it will consider installing fixed speed cameras on the A75.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Across Scotland safety cameras are deployed through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme primarily where they have the greatest potential to reduce injury collisions and where there is evidence of both collisions and speeding. This is in accordance with crite…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding each of the three Safety Camera Units have been allocated in each of the last three years.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of their powers under Section 88 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, offer to give to the Scottish Police Authority an annual grant in connection with delivery of the operational policing aspects of the Scott…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next review the Scottish Safety Camera Programme Handbook in order to consider the health and wellbeing of roadside communities.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Safety Camera Handbook is kept under continuous review by the Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board which provides strategic support and direction to the Scottish Safety Camera Programme. This acts to ensure safety camera resources continue to …
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported positive impact of the A9 HGV 50mph Speed Limit Pilot, (a) whether and (b) when it will extend a 50mph speed limit for HGVs to other (i) sections and (ii) major trunk roads.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Transport Scotland is undertaking a National Speed Management Review to support a range of policies that help our Government’s national outcomes and indicators. These include related policy drivers such as better road safety and health outcomes, promotion of …
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for making improvements to rail services operating to and from Stranraer.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: ScotRail implemented the consulted timetable in South West Scotland in May 2022 and advised this was a new starting point and passenger use would be closely monitored. As a result, in May 2023, a further five additional services will operate during the day be…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any requests from Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding improvements to the A75.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Dumfries and Galloway Council were one of 165 organisations which responded to the consultation on the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) draft report, undertaken between January and April 2022. The Council’s responses covered a range of topic…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland last met (a) members and (b) officials from Dumfries and Galloway Council in relation to upgrading the A75.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Transport Scotland officials last met with members and officials from Dumfries and Galloway Council to specifically discuss upgrades to the A75 at the spring Convention of the South of Scotland on 28 February 2022. Transport Scotland’s Director of Transport S…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the implementation timetable for the recommendations in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) will be published.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: In the Statement to Parliament by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, on the 26 January 2023, a Delivery Plan for STPR2 to provide further insight on the prioritisation of the recommendations will follow later this year, and this will se…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when officials from Transport Scotland last met ferry operators at Cairnryan.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Transport Scotland officials regularly meet with the A77 Action group, to which representatives from the ferry operators are invited. Meeting invites to these meetings are sent to PO Ferries, Belfast Harbour and Stena Line. The last meeting of this group was…
3 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates the business plan on investment in the A75 that Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport are working on will be completed.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The funding proposal is in the final stages of completion and will be sent to the UK Government for consideration during week commencing 1 May 2023.
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support (a) the provision of and (b) access to grassroots football (i) coaching and (ii) activities for children and young people.
Answer · Maree Todd: We understand the importance of sport and physical activity for children and young people in Scotland and the positive impact that it has on their physical, mental and social health. Through sport scotland, our national agency for sport, we are working in pa…
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is now on the legal advice that it received in 2017, on which the decision of the then Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform not to extend powers to the Scottish SPCA for investigating wildlife crimes was based.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government does not routinely publish or discuss legal advice received. During the Parliamentary passage of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, the Scottish Government committed to establishing a tas…
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider bringing forward an amendment to the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill to include provisions on snaring.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We will bring forward further proposals on snaring in good time to allow any necessary consultation and introduction at Stage 2 of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the R100 programme to be completed.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The R100 contracts, which are delivering full fibre, gigabit capable connections across the length and breadth of Scotland, are currently expected to conclude during 2027-28. For those properties beyond the reach of the R100 contract build or commercial cove…
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act 2023, what its most recent assessment is of any benefits to (a) farmers and (b) consumers in Scotland resulting from the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The UK Government’s own economic modelling shows that the agriculture and semi-processing sectors will lose out because of the UK-Australia trade deal. The approach taken in the negotiation of that deal also does not align with our Vision for Trade, which ref…
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of homes included in the original R100 plans will be connected with fibre broadband by the time of the programme's completion.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We expect all eligible premises within R100 contract build plans to have been connected by the time of the programme’s completion. As the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme is demand-led, it is not possible to know with certainty the percentage of propert…
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the results of the Scottish Agricultural Census for 2022.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Agriculture Census was paused in 2022 which means no results were published in 2022. However the Scottish Government will launch the latest Agricultural Census on 1 June 2023 and plan to publish the 2023 results this autumn. The exact publication…
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering excluding the planting of non-native species from the Forestry Grant Scheme, in order to boost Scotland's native biomes.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government have no plans to remove non-native species from the Forestry Grant Scheme. We are currently consulting on the future Forestry Grant Scheme and seeking views on increasing biodiversity outcomes. Non-native fast growing species are very …
29 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to close the gap in full fibre coverage between Scotland and England, in light of reports that the gap has grown since June 2022.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: In an update published to their website on 2 February 2023, Ofcom’s latest figures show that full fibre coverage in Scotland has been extended to around 1.1 million properties – 41% of all properties, which is the same percentage coverage as England (source: …