Parliamentary questions
Finlay Carson
905 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role that the Scottish National Resilience Centre in Dumfries will play in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · John Swinney: The National Centre for Resilience (NCR) whilst an independent body is fully funded by the Scottish Government, and works closely with it. In the past its remit had focused on natural hazards, but early in the pandemic it adapted its efforts into health resil…
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role the Scottish National Resilience Centre in Dumfries will have in addressing climate change adaption and mitigation plans for communities.
Answer · John Swinney: The NCR is continuously learning across its network, and compiling a portfolio of evidence that can support climate change adaption work and mitigation plans for communities. It does this through the commissioning of research, delivery of practical projects, …
15 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Victim Surcharge Fund.
7 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures it is planning to put in place in response to reports of confirmed avian influenza cases in wild birds and hens in Dumfries and Galloway and Angus.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: On the 3rd of November, and in response to an increase in risk to poultry of highly pathogenic avian influenza linked with increasing numbers of wild birds testing positive for the disease, the Scottish Government, along with Defra, DAERA and the Welsh Govern…
30 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve road safety on the trunk road network.
25 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to creating lorry and HGV parks in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Future transport investment by the Scottish Government will be set out in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). The South West Scotland Transport Study, which included Dumfries and Galloway, cited improving rest area provision for all road …
24 Nov 2021 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the UK Government to discuss infrastructure projects of importance to Scotland.
27 Oct 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to encourage more affordable homes to be built in remote and rural areas.
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a call will be made for candidate areas for national park status.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Yes. Following the discussions with stakeholders to agree evaluation process to assess bids for National Park status, a call will be made for candidate areas.
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-03008 by Lorna Slater on 28 September 2021, whether it will clarify where in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 it states that the first step in identifying appropriate candidate areas is through a consultation process.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The provisions of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 enable the Scottish Ministers to make a formal proposal to establish a new National Park. We are aware that there are several areas which may be interested in obtaining National Park status. There is th…
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the first steps will be in the process of identifying potential candidate areas for national park status.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The first steps in the process of identifying potential areas for National Park status will be to develop and publicise the evaluation process which will be used to determine the area or areas to be proposed as the next National Park in Scotland.
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a proposal under section 2 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 will be made in Spring 2022.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Under Section 2(3) of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, a proposal for a new National Park must identify the area to be designated and the proposed functions of the new National Park Authority. We are aware that several areas may be interested in Nation…
25 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria will be used to assess any bids for national park status.
Answer · Lorna Slater: To be eligible for National Park Status, under the provisions of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 the area must meet the following 4 Aims: (a) to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area, (b) to promote sustainable use of th…
11 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cat ID chipping scheme currently being rolled out in England to help track any improvements in kitten breeding and trading following the new licensing of breeding regulations, whether it plans to introduce the scheme in Scotland.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats recommends that all cat owners should consider neutering and microchipping their pets as the best way of being reunited with them should they be separated. The Scottish Government is aware of …
28 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to monitor watercourses for the presence of (a) painkillers, (b) anti-inflammatories, (c) antidepressants and (d) over-the-counter medicines.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets the legal obligations to monitor and assess a range of chemicals in the water environment. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) monitors the water environment for a range of contaminants of emerging co…
28 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which of its agencies are involved in assessing the level of medical drugs in (a) watercourses and (b) public water supplies.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the environmental regulator responsible for making sure that watercourses are protected. As part of its role, SEPA monitors for contaminants of emerging concern, such as certain pharmaceuticals…
28 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to better equip wastewater treatment works to address the issue of medical drugs being discharged into treated water.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to S6W-03394 on 19 October 2021. 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/writt…
28 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to assess any damage that chemical pollutants have caused in waterways and rivers.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for assessing the impacts of chemical pollutants on the water environment under River Basin Management Planning, which began in 2009. Along with a wide range of other water quality parameters, …
28 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out immediate research to understand the full risks to birds and fish of over-the-counter medicines entering into waterways.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: EU-wide research on the environmental risk posed by chemical substances informs the development of environmental quality standards These standards consider not only risks to animals, including fish, and plants that are exposed to these substances in water, bu…
28 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to improve wastewater treatment facilities to prevent chemical pollutants from entering the environment.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to S6W-03394 on 19 October 2021. 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/writt…
27 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide funding to enable Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels and other volunteer groups to continue their work and deliver practical control measures to ensure red squirrels flourish in the future and, if so, how much will be made available.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02664 on 17 September 2021. 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-commi…
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress SEPA has made in "driving all remaining businesses not yet meeting set standards into full compliance with the environmental laws in Scotland", as set out in the foreword to the agency's regulatory strategy.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on? 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many SEPA staff have been unable to undertake their duties each month following the cyber-attack on 24 December 2020.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on? 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of SEPA staff are actively involved in site inspection and compliance assessment, and whether this has changed since the cyber-attack on 24 December 2020.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between ministers and SEPA regarding the agency's role in addressing the biodiversity crisis.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004), all public bodies in Scotland are required to further the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out their responsibilities. The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act (WANE Act) (2011) introdu…
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of whether SEPA's approach to environmental protection is consistent with addressing the biodiversity crisis.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004), all public bodies in Scotland are required to further the conservation of biodiversity when carrying out their responsibilities. The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act (WANE Act) (2011) introdu…
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many unannounced inspections SEPA has undertaken since April 2021 to assess compliance with General Binding Rules for diffuse pollution in (a) priority catchments identified in the first River Basin Management Plan, (b) priority catchments identified in the second River Basin Managem…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on? 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times SEPA has used (a) fixed monetary penalties, (b) variable monetary penalties and (c) enforcement undertakings under the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 in each year since its enactment.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on? 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many water scarcity incidents have been reported to SEPA since 1 April 2021, and how many of these have resulted in regulatory action.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on? 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
21 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many pollution incidents related to the water environment have been reported to SEPA since 1 April 2021, and how many of these have resulted in regulatory action.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03232 on? 4 October 2021 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .