Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-27350

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress towards installing liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities at sites to be serviced by the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.

While the MV Glen Sannox and the MV Glen Rosa operate temporarily from Troon, LNG will be bunkered directly from HGV tankers to the vessels. The design of the potential improvement works at Ardrossan Harbour includes provision for an LNG storage facility to serve the vessels in the longer term.

The planned deployment of the MV Glen Rosa to the Arran route means that an LNG facility is no longer required at Uig harbour as part of the Little Minch Infrastructure Programme.

Question reference: S6W-27323

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards are required to inform it of the number of Golden Hello payments that are made to GPs in each financial year, and, if so, whether it will provide details of this.

Question reference: S6W-27224

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any communications that it has had with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding Police Scotland’s reported plan to join the National Police Wellbeing Service.

Scotland’s police officers and staff do a challenging job and it absolutely right that they are supported with their physical and mental wellbeing. Whilst the wellbeing of officers and staff is a matter for the Chief Constable, under the supervision of the Scottish Police Authority, the Scottish Government communicates with Police Scotland on a range of health and wellbeing issues.

We understand that Police Scotland has committed to formally submit an action plan to HMICS shortly in response to its Wellbeing Frontline Focus review. The action plan will address the recommendations made by HMICS and provide progress updates on the areas for development identified in the Review. The Scottish Government stands ready to support Police Scotland with the implementation of the recommendations.

Question reference: S6W-27229

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any communications that it has had with the (a) Lord President of the Court of Session and (b) Judicial Office for Scotland regarding the public inquiry into the investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder, since the Scottish Government announced in March 2024 that the inquiry will take place.

Following the announcement on 7 March 2024 that the Scottish Government would be holding a public inquiry into the investigation of Emma Caldwell’s murder, immediate preparatory work to set up an Inquiry was commenced. Scottish Ministers have been liaising with the Lord President and the Caldwell family to explore different options for who could lead the Inquiry however, no decision has been taken on this yet.

A statutory Public Inquiry is a significant undertaking and will take time to set up. I will provide further updates to Parliament as work is progressed including, appointing a Chair and setting the Terms of Reference.

Question reference: S6W-27301

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in relation to the recommendations of the Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework by Austin-Smith:Lord for Glasgow City Council, which were approved by the local authority in June 2019, including (a) that Transport Scotland establishes an M8 Transformation Board in partnership with the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council, (b) the removal of the William Street on ramp to the M8 westbound, (c) the removal of the Bothwell Street off ramp and flyover from the M8 eastbound, (c) the reconnection of William Street and Bothwell Street via a new bridge across the M8 cutting and (d) the reconnection of Argyle Street underneath the Kingston Bridge approach spans at Anderston Cross, with an updated entrance portal to Anderston railway station.

Transport Scotland continues to engage with Glasgow City Council regarding their aspirations for this area, noting it is they who are responsible for bringing forward land use changes and the associated planning duties. Transport Scotland’s interests lie in the safe and effective operation of the M8.

Transport Scotland has communicated to Glasgow City Council, that in order to take forward potential proposals, a robust assessment of the potential impacts on the mainline, access roads and adjacent facilities should be carried out. Officials from Transport Scotland are currently scoping an assessment of the future of the M8.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26829 and S6W-26830 on 29 April 2024.

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/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-26817

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is regarding mandatory rotation of Ukrainian refugees around hotels in Fife.

The Scottish Government has welcome accommodation across Scotland. These are managed in partnership with relevant local authorities, who advise on where guests are best placed.

We work collaboratively with local authorities such as Fife to ensure that services are person-centred and delivered in a trauma informed way, and which support effective resettlement.

In the Fife Council area there are three welcome accommodation hotels for displaced people on a temporary basis upon arrival in the country.

On arrival, Fife council will make a needs assessment and will consider the availability of council services to support displaced people in determining which hotel is most suited for presenting individuals or families,

There is no mandatory rotation of guests in Fife, or any other part of the welcome accommodation estate housing displaced people.

However, from time to time as a result of contracting, consolidation, changes in local services provision or when an accommodation provider choses to reduce or discontinue the rooms they offer, local authorities may require guests to move to new accommodation and will look to minimise disruption to guests as much as possible.

The Scottish Government remains committed, alongside our Local Authority partners, to supporting Ukrainians access longer-term, sustainable accommodation while they make Scotland their home.

Question reference: S6W-27227

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any communications that it has had in the last 24 months with the office of the Scottish Information Commissioner regarding the vulnerable persons database that is operated by Police Scotland.

The management of the interim Vulnerable Persons Database (iVPD) is a matter for Police Scotland. As with any other organisation, Police Scotland has a duty to gather and process personal data lawfully. The Scottish Government has had no communication with the office of the Scottish Information Commissioner regarding the iVPD during this period.

For further information on the iVPD please refer to answer S6W-27225 on 17 May 2024.

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/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-27252

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to secure 11GW of installed offshore wind by 2030.

Scotland has a current total reported potential pipeline of over 40 GW of offshore wind projects.

Our Offshore Wind Policy Statement (2020) set out the Scottish Government’s ambition for 8-11 GW of offshore wind in Scotland by 2030. This is currently being reviewed in light of the significant market ambition of around 28 GW across 20 projects demonstrated by the private sector via the ScotWind leasing round.

We remain committed to achieving the ambitions as set out in the 2020 Offshore Wind Policy Statement, and will invest up to £500m over the next five years to develop the infrastructure and supply chain critical to growing Scotland’s offshore wind sector.

Question reference: S6W-27234

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any communications that it has had with (a) the Scottish Football Association and (b) individual football clubs regarding the Police Scotland public awareness campaign launched in 2021, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, which featured a video titled John’s Story.

The Scottish Government has not had any communications with the Scottish Football Association or individual football clubs about Police Scotland’s public awareness campaign launched in 2021. The Scottish Government provided Police Scotland with funding through the Serious Organised Crime Small Community Grant Scheme in 2021 for their project working with four football clubs in Glasgow and a production company to develop the video ‘John’s Story’.

Question reference: S6W-27241

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 May 2024
Current Status: Holding Answer by Fiona Hyslop on 17 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the impact of speed cameras in improving driver behaviour, in light of Safety Cameras Scotland’s reported decision to deactivate 119 speed cameras across Scotland’s transport authorities.

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